CIHM 
Microfiche 
Series 
(i\Aonographs) 


ICMH 

Collection  de 
microfiches 
(monographies) 


Caiwdi«n  InstituM  for  Hiatorkal  Micraraproductioiw  /  Institut  Canadian  da  mier  ■'reproduction*  liiatoriqu** 


1995 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes  /  Notes  technique  et  bibllographlques 


The  Institute  tias  attempted  to  obtain  the  best  original 
copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this  copy  which 
may  be  bibliographically  unique,  which  may  alter  any  of 
the  images  in  the  reproduction,  or  which  may 
significantly  change  the  usual  method  of  filming  are 
checked  below. 

[71      Coloured  covers  / 
^^^      Couverture  de  couleur 

I     1      Covers  damaged  / 

Couverture  endommag*e 

rn      Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  iestaur6e  et/ou  pelliculee 

I     I      Cover  title  missing /Le  litre  de  couverture  manque 

I      I      Coloured  maps/ Cartes  geographiques  en  couleur 

Vy\      Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  Wack)/ 

Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

I      I      Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations  / 
Planches  et/ou  illustratkins  en  couleur 

I     I      Bound  with  other  material/ 

Relie  avec  d'autres  documents 

I      I      Only  edition  available  / 
' — '      Seule  edition  disponible 

I  I  Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin  /  La  reliure  serrSe  peut 
causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la  distorsran  le  long  de 
la  marge  int^rieure. 

I  I  Blank  leaves  added  during  nestoratk)ns  may  appear 
within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these  have 
been  omitted  from  filming  /  II  se  peut  que  certaines 
pages  blanches  ajout^es  lors  d'une  restauration 
apparaissent  dans  le  texte,  mais,  kirsque  cela  6tait 
possible,  ces  pages  n'ont  pas  4t6  tilmSes. 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  examplaire  qu'il  lui  a 
6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details  de  cet  exem- 
plaire  qui  sont  peut-Stre  uniques  du  point  de  vue  bibli- 
ographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier  une  image  reproduite, 
ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une  modifications  dans  la  m6th- 
ode  nonmale  de  filmage  sont  indiqu6s  ci-dessous. 

I     I      Cotoured  pages/ Pages  de  couleur 

I     I      Pages  damaged/ Pages  endommagSes 

I     I      Pages  restored  and/or  laminated  / 
Pages  restaurtes  et/ou  pellicultes 

\/\      Pages  discotoured,  stained  or  foxed  / 
Pages  decolor^es,  tacheties  ou  piquees 

I     I      Pages  detached/ Pages  d«ach6es 

ry]      Showthrough  /  Transparence 

FT]      Quality  of  print  varies  / 

'-^      Quality  in^le  de  I'impression 

I     I      Includes  supplementary  material/ 

Comprend  du  materiel  suppl^mentaire 

I  I  Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image  /  Les  pages 
totalement  ou  partiellement  obscurcies  par  un 
feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure,  etc.,  ont  6t6  filmfes 
a  nouveau  de  fa^on  a  obtenir  la  meilleure 
image  possible. 

I  I  Opposing  pages  with  varying  colouration  or 
discolourations  are  filmed  twice  to  ensure  the 
best  possible  image  /  Les  pages  s'opposam 
ayant  des  colorations  variables  ou  des  decol- 
orations sont  filmdes  deux  fois  afin  d'obtenir  la 
meilleur  image  possible. 


D 


Addtk)nat  comments  / 
Commentaires  suppldmentaifBs: 


Thii  ittm  is  filmad  at  th«  reduction  rnio  chackld  below/ 

Ct  documtnt  tn  ftlmi  au  nu>  de  rMuction  indiqui  ci-dawHis. 


tax 

^^^ 

14  X 

tax 

22X 

26X 

XX 

u 

J 

I2X 

16X 

20X 

2«X 

^^^^ 

?nx 

L_l 

Th*  copy  fllmad  h«r*  hat  baan  raproducad  thanki 
to  tha  aonaroaitv  of: 

National  Library  of  Canada 


L'axamplaira  film*  fut  raproduil  grtca  1  la 
gtntroiit*  da: 

Blbllothequa  nationals  du  Canada 


Tha  imaga*  appaaring  hara  ara  tha  bait  quality 
poMibIa  conaidaring  tha  condition  and  loglbillty 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  kaaping  with  tha 
filming  contract  ipacificationa. 


Original  coplaa  in  printad  papar  covara  ara  fllmad 
baginning  with  ti«a  front  eovar  and  anding  on 
tha  iaat  paga  with  a  printad  or  illuatratad  impraa- 
aion,  or  tha  back  covar  whan  appropriata.  All 
othar  original  eopiaa  ara  fllmad  baginning  on  tha 
first  paga  with  a  printad  or  illuatratad  Impras- 
aion,  and  anding  on  tha  last  paga  with  a  printad 
or  illuatratad  impraaaion. 


Tha  last  raeordad  frama  on  aach  microficha 
shall  conuin  tha  symbol  -^  Imaaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  tha  symbol  ▼  Imaaning  "END"), 
whichavar  applias. 

Mapa,  plataa,  charts,  ate,  may  ba  fllmad  at 
diffarant  raduction  ratios.  Thosa  too  larga  to  ba 
antiraly  includad  in  ona  axposura  ara  fllmad 
baginning  in  tha  uppar  laft  hand  comar,  laft  to 
right  and  top  to  bonom.  as  many  framaa  as 
raquirad.  Tha  following  diagrams  illustrata  tha 
mothod: 


Las  imagas  suivantas  ont  M  raproduitas  avac  la 
plus  grand  soin.  compta  tanu  da  la  condition  at 
da  la  nattai*  da  l'axamplaira  film*,  at  an 
conf  ormit*  avac  laa  conditions  du  contrat  da 
fllmaga. 

Laa  axamplairaa  origlnaux  dont  la  eouvartura  an 
papiar  aat  ImprimAa  sont  film*s  an  commancant 
par  la  pramiar  plat  at  an  tarminant  soit  par  la 
darnitra  paga  qui  comporta  una  ampraints 
d'Impraasien  ou  d'illustratlon.  soit  par  la  sacond 
plat,  aalon  la  caa.  Tous  laa  aulras  axamplairas 
originaux  sont  fiimts  an  commandant  par  la 
pramMra  paga  qui  comporta  una  amprainta 
d'impraksion  ou  d'illustratlon  at  an  tarminant  par 
la  darnMra  paga  qui  comporta  una  talla 
amprainta. 

Un  das  symbolaa  suivants  spparaitra  sur  la 
darnlAra  imaga  da  chaqua  microficha.  salon  la 
cas:  la  symbols  ^^  signifia  "A  SUIVRE".  la 
symbols  ▼  signifia  "FIN". 

Las  cartas,  planchas.  tablaaux.  ate.  pauvant  itra 
filmta  i  daa  taux  da  raduction  difftrcnts. 
Lorsqua  la  documant  ast  trop  grand  pour  itra 
raproduit  an  un  saul  clicht.  il  ast  film*  i  partir 
da  I'angia  supAriaur  gaucha.  da  gaucha  t  droita. 
at  da  haut  an  bas.  an  pranant  la  nombra 
d'Imagaa  ntcassaira.  Laa  diagrammas  suivants 
illustrant  la  mMhoda. 


1  2  3 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

MOIOCOrr  tiSOUITION  tbt  chait 

(ANSI  ond  ISO  TEST  CHART  Nc.  2) 


I.I 


12a 


I2J 


m 

in 

u 


1.8 


^ll^i;i 


_^  /APPLIED  IIVHGE    Inc 

^^  I6S3  East  Main   Strmt 

^S  Rochastar.  N««  York        14609       USA 

r.^=  (716)  482  -  0300  -  Phone 

^SS  (716)  288  -  5989  -  Fax 


4«. 


^P**»* 


/V« 


// 


<_«      .    <*^**»/^'' 


/<•   *«*. 


/ 


-.  y  - 


•V     •^^  ■*  •* 


/ 


4««^** 


.--^Z  '; 


COPVKIOHT  l«IO 

Niw  AMtTiL  Maoazini  Co. 
Wilmington,  D«l.   'I,  s.  A. 


A  BLOSSOM 

OF  THE 

SEA 

AND  OTHER  POEMS 


B]f  Lyman  C.  Smith 


Niw  Amitil  Magaiimi  CoiiPAMr 

WiLMIMOTOH,   DiLAWARI,   U.    S.    A 
AHNO  DOMIMI  UCMX 


L yM/9(s/,  c.  s. 


53913 


CONTENTS 


ill  Master!  Clotk 


Introductory  Sonnett 

Shadow! 

The  Auction 

Sable  laland 

Lament  of  a  Skeleton 

Semper  Eadem 

The  Queen 

Rex  Mortuu!  Eit.  Tamen  Vivit 

Ambition  and  Praiae 

Our  City  Couiin 

A  Child*!  Queation 

On  a  Dot  Buried  in  H 

A  View  of  Death 

The  Deierted  Houie 

To  Miriam 

The  Sno^ir 

Whitby  Ladie!'  College 

A  Blo!!om  of  the  Sea 

A  Pioneer  Farmer 

How  Lon^  ?        . 

Onward 

Majuba  Hill 

Canada  to  Columbia 

Columbia  to  Canada 

Builden  of  the  Broad  Dominion 

England 

The  Bay  of  Quinte 


7—8 
9 
14 
19 
36 
31 
34 
37 
41 
43 
49 
53 
35 
58 
61 
70 
71 
74 

100 

109 

HI 

113 

lie 

118 
120 
125 
125 


CONTENTS 


A  Leader 

Tk.  Manli  in    Winter 

Deformitici 

Til.  DatK  u>d  Mnnory  of  the  Jurt 

Archibald  Lampman 

Theodore  H.  Rand 

Alexandra 

On  Viewing  King  Edwardj  Picture 

Goldwin  Smith 

Florence  Nightingale 

Mark  Twiin 

Fragmentt 


To  Louise 

To  Marie 

To  NeUie 

To  Olive 

To  Clara 

To  Vivian 

To  Margaret 

To  Aileen 

To  Katie 
To  Maud 
The  BcMemer 
A  Lewon 
The  Paning  Year 
To  a  Friend 
Falling  Stan 
Fairy  Land 
The  Robina 


LES  BELLES  CANADIENNES 


No.  2 


IS6 

137 

137 

138 

130 

131 

133 

133 

133 

133 

134 

13} 


136 

136 

137 

138 

138 

139 

139 

140 

141 

141 

143 

14« 

147 

149 

151 

133 

134 


CONTENTS 


SONGS 
Anticipation 
Elaine 

Wken  rokini  pip<  tkair   w.rnin, 
O  turn  to  me  deareit   . 
Wken  Jown  from  realm.  „{  p..rf.„  u„, 
SI..  .  krijht  little.  .li,ht  linl.  maid 

IN  LIGHTER  VEIN 
How  Jennie  Cro»ed  the  Border 
A  Morning-.  Adventure,  with  Auto. 
A  Stirring  Scene 
The  Letter 
The  Yantic 

Jonathan  and  I 

John  Bull  and  Son  Sam 

Golfing  on  the  Green 

UlyHe. 

Aviator. 

Fini. 


157 
139 
161 
161 
163 
164 


167 

173 

176 

179 

180 

183 

187 

190 

193 

214 

218 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


QO    LITTLE  BOOK,  thy  silent  lips  unseal 
VJ     For  all  that  plod  life's  valleys  glad  or  drear; 
The  secrets  of  thy  maker's  heart  reveal 
To  all  that  deign  thy  simple  words  to  hear 

WW  ?"  ^"°^'r  -'■'^^  ''^^^  ^^^"^'l  his  breast, 
What  pleasures  cheered,  what  bitter  trials  vexed, 
What  hopes  encouraged,  or  what  doubts  distressed 
In  darker  hours  when  mysteries  perplexed. 

These  musings  on  his  way,  not  darker  made 

Nor  bnghter,  than  for  thousands  more  beside 
May  aid  some  soul  dejection  to  evade 

Or  glad  some  baffled  bosom  sorely  tried 
Go,  httle  book,  thy  silent  lips  unseal 
The  purpose  of  thy  maker's  heart  reveal 


I    I 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


what  are  blooms  to 


A  WREATH  of  blooms,- 
me, — 
Meek  wayside  dwellers  with  the  clustered  weed, 
Nor  fairest  nor  the  best  that  deck  the  m^ad, 
Nor  what  I  might  have  gathered  were  I  free 
To  leave  my  ordered  path  and  nearer  see 
The  streams,  whose  distant  call  I  hear,  that  lead 
The  leisured  foot  where  banks  of  sweetness  feed 
With  floating  balm  the  height  and  level  lea, 


I  proffer  these  to  bring  what  cheer  they  may 
To  all  that  hurry  on  the  crowded  way: 
For  me,  the  breathings  of  their  fragrant  lips. 

Their  modest  faces  peering  from  the  sod. 
The  touches  of  their  velvet  finger-tips, 

Have  cheered  the  darkest  valleys  I  have  trod. 


And  Other  Poems 


SHADOWS 

I. 

r~\    EARTH,  colossal  charnel  heap, 
V^       To  thee  all  life  must  tribute  give ; 
Thou  dost  the  dead  of  ages  keep, 
Shalt  be  the  grave  of  all  that  live. 

There  is  no  morsel  of  thy  mould 
With  wreck  and  waste  of  life  unblent; 

The  dead  thy  heaving  waters  hold, 
The  dead  are  in  thy  bosom  pent. 

The  bloom  that  lifts  a  timid  face. 
The  oak  that  braves  a  tyrant  blast, 

Shall  feel  the  chill  of  thy  embrace 
And  mingle  with  thy  dust  at  last. 

The  countless  tissue-pinioned  things 
Fulfil  their  slender  hour  and  fall ; 

The  bird  that  to  the  zenith  springs 
Thy  sordid  clods  at  last  enthral. 

The  worm  that  mines  a  winding  cave. 
The  ant  that  drills  thy  flinty  crust, ' 

Shall  find  their  sunless  home  a  grave 
And  add  their  atom  to  thy  dust. 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


Below  thy  heaving  mounds  are  hid 
The  dead  of  ages  all  unknown; 

The  cliff  is  but  a  pyramid 
That  holds  the  dead  embalmed  in  stone. 

The  chalk-built  height  a  mound  of  shells 
From  which  the  fragile  life  hath  fled; 

Thy  restless  ocean  foams  and  swells 
O'er  slimy  deeps  of  shapeless  dead. 

The  mammoth  huge  in  forest  gloom, 
That  crushed  with  stolid  step  thy  mould, 

Thy  winter-fettered  sands  entomb. 
Or  sunken  bogs  imprisoned  hold. 

II. 

O  Earth,  from  days  of  dawning  time 
Hast  thou  been  steeped  in  purple  flood; 

The  monsters  jf  the  early  prime 
Contending  drenched  thee  in  their  blood. 

The  timid  fawn  the  lion  tears 
The  brooding  dove  the  eagle  takes. 

The  swallow  cleaving  summer  airs 
Of  whining  gnat  a  victim  makes. 

The  stronger  rend  the  shrinking  weak; 

Nor  Life  her  tribute  may  deny. 
For  these  with  sanguine  claw  and  beak 

Must  sate  a  craving  maw  or  die. 


And  Other  Poems 


But  man  with  more  undying  wrath 
The  trail  of  slaughter  hath  pursued; 

The  tamt  of  blood  is  on  his  path, 
His  brow  with  brother's  blood  imbued. 

No  inch  of  soil  his  foot  hath  pressed 
But  human  ashes  roof  it  o'er; 

And  not  a  clod  upon  thy  breast 
But  bears  the  tinge  of  human  gore. 

No  Alpine  snow  undyed  is  found, 
No  cave  with  unbesprinkled  stones, 

No  plain  unmarked  by  charnel  mound. 
No  sea  unpaved  with  human  bones. 

In  all  the  dim  uncountefl  years 
Too  many  are  the  ways  of  death : 

The  arctic  chills,— the  tropic  seres,— 
The  desert  blasts  with  poison  breath; 

Fierce  toil  unceasingly  consumes,— 
The  glare  of  molten  furnace  blights,— 

Disease  the  cradled  infant  dooms,— 
Contagion  half  a  nation  smites,— 

Gaunt  Famine  glides  through  glebe  and  town; 

They  stifle  in  the  dismal  mine,— 
Thy  yawning  bosom  gulfs  them' down,— 

They  choke  in  swirls  of  seething  brine. 


r: 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


III. 

O  Earth,  thou  art  the  nurse  of  life! 

O  Earth,  thou  givest  man  his  breath  I 
Then  why  this  universal  strife, 

And  why  this  carnival  of  death? 

T".  man  in  all  the  doom  and  din 
But  plaything  for  the  whirling  gusl? 

Is  Life— this  life  that  stirs  within— 
A  passing  eddy  in  the  dust? 

Is  Life  a  stream  whose  winding  maze 
Must  end  in  Death's  eternal  shoal? 

Is  Life  the  transitory  phase. 
And  Death  the  last  and  final  goal? 

Yet  from  the  wreck  and  waste  of  dead 
The  varied  forms  of  being  spring: 

From  ashes,  from  the  husk  and  shred 
Thou  dost  in  turn  the  living  bring. 

No  tree  may  rise  from  nut  mature 
Unless  the  parent  nut  be  riven; 

Is  this  thy  changeless  law  and  sure 
That  life  for  life  be  ever  given? 

The  hidden  records  of  thy  breast. 
If  rightly  we  their  secret  read. 

Declare  thy  fixed  and  stern  behest. 
"The  low  shall  pass;  the  high  succeed." 


ta 


And  Other  Poems 


Can  this  forever  be  thine  aim  ? 

Is  this  thy  purpose  and  thy  plan, 
From  all  the  fallen  wreck  to  frame 

The  higher  type,  the  perfect  man 

Afar  the  eye  we  backward  strain: 
The  wave  is  fenced  with  dyke  of  stone,- 

The  marsh  is  gone,— the  monster  slain,— 
We  dream  the  world  is  better  grown; 

We  dream  what  is  and  what  hath  been 

Are  atoms  of  a  mighty  whole 
That,  guided  by  a  hand  unseen. 

Is  moving  to  a  final  goal. 

But  what  the  goal?    Unknown— unknown- 
The  fronting  mists  are  hard  to  part ; 

We  grope  through  shadows  dim  and  lone 
And  follow  whispers  of  the  heart. 

January,  1902. 


i3 


A  B/ossom  of  the  Sea 


* 


THE  AUCTION 

A    T  THE  low  sunken  doorway  an  auctioneer  stood, 
'»  And  he  and  the  crowd  were  in  jocular  mood, 
i-or  before  him  about  on  the  walk  were  displayed 
The  goods  of  a  debtor  whose  rent  was  unpaid- 
Old-fashioned  and  shrunken,  disfigured  by  wear. 
Unvarnished,  and  broken  beyond  all  repair. 

"A  collection  of  articles  here  I  present 
Such  as  never  to  hammer  of  auctioneer  went. 
Of  their  value  as  relics  I  need  but  remark 
That  Noah  secured  them  to  furnish  his  ark. 
A  garden  unpeopled  this  world  might  have  smiled 
Had  these  not  the  gloom  of  that  voyage  beguiled. 

"Now,  here  is  a  bed  so  decrepit  and  old 
It  leans  for  support  as  it  stands  to  be  sold ; 
Its  tremulous  wails  of  rheumatic  distress 
Tell  the  twinges  of  pain  that  it  cannot  suppress. 
Who  bids  for  an  article  useful  and  cheap, 
A  bed  that  makes  music  to  lull  you  to  sleep  ? 

"Here's  a  fine  chest  of  drawers.    Allow  me  to  state 
Twas  the  first  Adam  made  when  he  left  Eden's  gate 
Mother  Eve  kept  her  bonnet  in  this,  while  in  that 
You'll  yet  find  the  band  of  his  best  Sunday  hat; 
While  here,  as  a  proof  it  was  once  Mother  Eve's 
Are  a  few  relics  left  of  her  garment  of  leaves. 

U 


V     i 


And  Other  Poems 


"Here's  a  chair:  and  you'll  say,  when  it  closely  you 

view,  ' 

That  Adam  could  never  have  made  more  than  two 
On  that  he  perched  Abel;  on  this  he  raised  Lain  •   " 
That  this  IS  the  cane  chair  is  perfectly  plain 
It  will  rock  without  rockers,  for  'mong  its  goo,!  points 
Are  double  back-acting  and  flexible  joints." 

While  he  jested  and  jeered  without  ceasing  the  crowd 
As  they  bid  or  they  listene<l  laughed  hearty  an,:  loud 
But  apart,  on  the  margin,  dejected  an.)  sad 
Stood  a  grey-headed  woman  all  shabbily  clad 
No  smile  at  the  auctioneer's  wit  could  you  trace 
But  the  tears  trickled  fast  down  the  wrinkle.l  old  face. 

For  she  thought  of  a  day  when  that  chest  was  her 

pride 
And  the  one  preciou.s  boast  of  a  new-wedde<l  bride; 
bh-  thought  of  the  gown  and  the  bridal  array 
That  once  nestled  there  neatly  folded  away 
Those  few  scattered  leaves  were  a  love-gift  of  old 
But  the  hand  that  bestowed  them  was  crumbled  'to 

mould. 

And  this  was  the  chair  where  that  love.l  one  reposed 
When  the  darkness  his  long  day  of  labor  had  closed, 
When  with  strength  in  his  arm  and  with  hope  in  his 

breast 
In  the  struggle  of  life  he  had  stood  with  the  best. 
And  this  A-as  the  chair  where  he  day  after  -lay 
5>at  pallid  and  strengthless  and  faded  away 


ta 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


\  !l 


And  this  was  the  bed,  when  no  more  he  could  rise, 
When  the  light  of  another  world  shone  in  his  eyes 
And  illumined  his  cheek,  where  he  sank  down  at  last 
And  lay  while  the  years  drifted  languidly  past; 
Till,  one  dismal  morning,  here  clasped  on  his  breast 
The  thin,  shrunken  fingers  at  last  found  a  rest. 

On  that  old  creaking  couch  after  day's  weary  round 
For  forty  long  years  he  a  rest  nightly  found ; 
And  now  on  that  couch  after  life's  weary  close 
He  found  from  its  toil  an  eternal  repose : 
No  more  the  lip  quivered  with  half-suppressed  pain, 
No  pang  broke  the  peace  of  his  slumber  again. 

When  the  auctioneer  next  took  a  wee  baby's  chair — 
The  one  single  piece  yet  untarnished  by  wear — 
Again  rose  the  vision  of  ne'er-forgot  years, 
Again  burst  the  stream  from  the  fountain  of  tears. 
And  there  broke  from  her  lips  such  a  moan  of  distress 
That  it  told  more  of  anguish  than  words  could  express. 

In  the  lone  happy  days  of  the  long,  long  ago. 
Had  she  pleaded  with  Heaven  a  child  to  bestow. 
The  Lord  heard  her  cry,  and,  in  answer,  of  those 
Best-beloved  by  the  angels  the  dearest  he  chose. 
Its  hair  into  ringlets  their  hands  had  caressed. 
Its  cheeks  into  dimples  their  fingers  had  pressed. 

Its  face  wore  the  joy  of  the  glad  seraph  throng 
When  they  circle  the  altar  and  burst  into  song; 
Its  brow  had  been  smoothed  by  the  Lord's  shining 
hand, 

i6 


And  Other  Poems 


Its  lips  had  been  touched  with  His  red  altar-brand. 
The  heart-winning  ways  that  endeared  it  above 
Awoke  all  her  dormant  affection  and  love. 

And  this  plain  little  chair  for  the  child  was  a  throne 
Where  it  prattled  and  sang  in  a  low  musing  tone 
Of  the  wonderful  world  it  had  dwelt  in  on  high: 
And  the  glad-pinioned  years  flitted  tranquilly  by 
In  a  radiant  clime  of  ineffable  peace, 
For  she  dreamed  that  her  happiness  never  could  cease. 

But  all  that  the  angels  can  suffer  of  pain 
They  felt,  and  they  pined  for  their  darling  again. 
So  downward  they  stole  at  the  close  of  the  day 
Where  restless  and  flushed  on  the  pillow  it  lay. 
It  slept  while  she  fondled  each  pain-moistened  tress- 
It  woke  at  the  touch  of  an  angel's  caress. 

The  casket  was  broken,  the  treasure  was  gone ; 

Though  childless  and  widowed  she  long  struggled  on ; 

But  in  all  of  her  poverty,  hunger  and  pain 

Her  lost  baby's  chair  she  contrived  to  retain. 

But  now,  as  she  gazed  through  the  mist  of  her  tears, 

'Twas  the  one  verdant  plot  in  the  desert  of  years. 

The  chair  he  uplifted.    The  crowd  nearer  pressed 
Expectantly  waiting  the  auctioneer's  jest ; 
But  his  ear  caught  the  cry  and  the  moan  of  dismay, 
And  the  half-uttered  jest  on  his  lips  died  away ; 
For  he  saw  on  her  face  the  mute  look  of  despair 
And  he  read  at  a  glance  all  its  history  there. 


n 


't! 
1 1      'd 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


The  hammer  he  dropped,  from  his  station  he  went 
He  flung  to  the  landlord  the  trifle  of  rent- 
The  chair  in  the  hands  of  the  mother  he  pressed, 
Who  hugged  it  convulsively  close  to  her  breast 
And  silently  lifted  her  tear-streaming  eyes 
Where  gratitude  mingled  with  joyful  surprise. 

The  crowd  saw  the  act  and  they  gave  him  a  cheer- 
If  the  chord's  rightly  touclied  it  -a  ;11  ever  ring  clear. 
He  found  her  a  shelter  from  tempest  and  cold, 
And  it  lacked  not  her  Jtore  of  the  treasures  of  old 
With  his  hand  and  his  heart  moving  thus  in  accord. 
He  felt  something  higher  than  earthly  reward. 


i8 


And  Other  Poems 


SABLE  ISLAND 

J^"  r  f"-'  ''^°  "  ^"'"-^  '"'''  '""•  '""-"S  '■"  ">  become  the  bride  ,f 
an  E„gl„h  .^Keruan^ned  at  Halifax,  ^hen  the  -veuel  ^a,  caul 

her  dress,  aud  especally  by  a  ring  she  nvore.  robbed   her  and  ,h!n 
cast  her  into  the  sea.] 


I. 

pASTWARD  leagues  from  Nova  Scotia, 

■l-<  Where  across  the  lonesome  levels 

Silent,  shrouded  spectres  creep, 

Long  and  low  lies  Sable  Island ' 

Like  the  fabled  ocean  serpent. 

Stretched  in  curves  of  lengthened  winding 

Slumbering  on  the  sleepless  deep. 

There  for  ages  have  the  Tempests, 
Maddened  scavengers  of  ocean. 
Flung  the  refuse  from  their  hands; 
There  have  tumbled  in  confusion 
Stifled  crews  and  shattered  vessels, 
Jeweled  chains  and  silken  mantles, 
Shifting  with  the  shifting  sands. 


IQ 


A  ±  'ossom  of  the  Sea 


11. 

Years  agone  a  gallant  vessel, 
Oaken-ribbed  and  snowy-pinioned, 
O'er  the  heaving  azure  pressed: 
Morning  pointed  hands  of  glory. 
Evening  down  her  shining  pathway 
Beckoned  on  with  flaming  beacons. 
Guiding  to  the  golden  West. 

Day  despatched  her  racing  rivals, 
Fluttering  torn  and  tattered  canvas, 
Speeding  through  the  upper  blue ; 
Night  within  his  gay  pavilion. 
Bending  low  in  loving  homage, 
Down  upon  the  path  before  her 
Star-enwoven  garments  threw. 

On  the  shores  of  Nova  Scotia 

Stood  a  gallant  soldier  lover 

Waiting  for  his  coming  bride : 

In  her  far-ofi  English  mansion 

Heads  were  bowed  and  hearts  were  lonely. 

Loving  lips  were  pleading  lowl" 

For  their  dar!ing  and  their  pride. 

Peering  onward  through  the  shadows, 
In  the  dimness  of  the  dawning 
Stood  she  on  the  deck  alone : 
Fairer  was  she  than  the  Morning 
When  he  wears  the  flush  of  waking. 


And  Other  Poems 


When  the  misty  loosened  tresses 
Lightly  from  his  brow  are  blown. 

Limpid  were  her  eyes  and  bluer 
Than  the  beaming  liquid  azure 
Of  the  sky-bemocking  deep ; 
For  the  voyage  now  was  ending— 
Ere  the  Angels  of  the  Dawning 
Passed  again  their  golden  portals 
Would  she  into  harbor  sweep. 

Voices  from  the  verge  of  homeland 
Seemed  to  fall  in  fainter  echoes 
Ever  dying  on  her  ear ; 
While  in  tones  becoming  clearer 
Came  a  call  across  the  waters 
From  the  glowing  land  of  sunset, 
Every  moment  growing  near. 

From  the  margin  of  the  homeland 
Hands  that  closely  clung  in  parting 
Stretched  across  the  swelling  surge  ; 
Yet  her  longing  heart  impelled  her 
Where  the  hand  of  lover  beckoned 
Onward  to  the  land  of  promise 
On  the  ocean's  western  verge. 

TIL 

Never  arms  of  mother  pressed  her, 
Never  lover's  hand  caressed  her. 
Never  answered  she  their  call ; 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


Stronger  arms  were  stretched  to  hold  her, 
Ruder  lips  caressed  and  colder, 
Louder  came  a  call  and  bolder. 
More  imperative  than  all. 

From  the  land  of  gloom  and  shadow 
Noiseless  came  the  spectres  gliding- 
Sheeted  forms  whose  ghostly  hands 
Folded  round  the  fated  vessel 
Blinding  veils  and  wreaths  of  vapor, 
Led  her  where  she  plunged  and  floundered 
In  the  sinking,  oozy  sands. 

Then  the  Tempest  and  his  legions. 
Ranged  in  rushing  crested  squadrons, 
Sweeping  down  with  boding  roar. 
Struck  and  overthrew  the  vessel, 
Trampled  canvas,  mast  and  banner. 
Bore  away  the  bride  and  tossed  her 
Breathless,  fainting  on  the  shore. 

Cruel  were  the  sheeted  spectres. 
Tyrannous  the  trampling  tempest, 
But  more  cruel  yet  was  man. 
Waking  from  her  swooning  slumber, 
Weak  the  sodden  shore  she  wandered. 
When  a  boat  with  wreckers  laden 
To  the  shallow  harbor  ran : 

Fiends  that  quench  the  warning  beacon, 
Set  the  death-alluring  signal. 


V    i'1 


And  Other  Poems 


Greedy  hover  for  their  prey; 
Ruthless,  hungry  ocean  vultures,— 
Pirates  of  the  wrecked  and  stranded,- 
Ghouls  that  rob  the  dead  and  dying, 
Nor  the  living  shun  to  slay. 

Here  they  found  the  hapless  maiden 
Straying  on  the  barren  shoreland. 
Helpless,  shelterless,  alone. 
Pendent  over  velvet  mantle 
Hung  a  gleaming  golden  necklace 
While  the  jewel  of  betrothal 
Flaming  on  her  finger  shone. 

Into  waiting  boat  they  bore  her. 
Spoiled  her  of  her  costly  mantle. 
Rudely  wrenched  away  the  chain; 
But  her  hand,  with  death's  convulsion 
Tightly  clenched  the  precious  love-gift 
And  to  force  it  from  her  finger 
All  their  efforts  were  in  vain. 

Wrathful  at  the  maid's  resistance. 
Off  they  smote  the  snowy  finger, ' 
Seized  the  jeweled  golden  band; 
Then  the  maiden,  bruised  and  bleeding 
Flung  they  from  their  floating  shallop- 
Shrieking  sank  she  in  the  surges, 
Holding  high  her  wounded  hand. 


23 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


IV. 

Long  the  lonesome  lover  lingered, 
Long  the  mother  interceded 
With  the  deaf,  unheeding  wave ; 
Though  the  months  to  years  were  growing, 
Ship  nor  sailor  brought  him  tidings; 
Naught  but  mocking,  moaning  echoes 
To  her  cry  the  ocean  gave. 

In  ii  seaport  of  Acadia 
Was  the  ring  at  last  discovered. 
Once  the  treasure  of  the  bride. 
And  the  roving  wretch  that  sold  it. 
Lying  in  a  home  of  mercy. 
Conscience-tortured,  horror-haunted. 
Gasped  the  ghoulish  tale  and  died. 


Still  when  ghostly  mists  are  gliding 
Near  the  coasts  of  Sable  Island 
Is  a  slender  maiden  seen 
Lifting  hand  with  severed  finger. 
Passing  like  a  fleeting  shadow 
Over  shallow  sea  and  shoreiand. 
With  a  sorrow-troubled  mien, — 

Seeking,  restless  and  bewildered, 
'Mid  the  misty  maze  of  waters. 
Where  her  westward  path  may  lie ; 
Ever  thwarted,  ever  turning, 


34 


And  Other  Poems 


Ever  more  perplexed  she  wanders, 
Searching  for  her  vanished  jewel, 
With  a  tender  plaintive  cry. 

There  amid  the  maddest  tumult 
Of  the  Tempest,  hoarse  with  passion, 
One  the  maiden's  moaning  hears 
Sinking  to  a  sobbing  whisper. 
Swelling  to  a  scream  of  terror, 
Till  beneath  the  bubbling  billows 
Swift  the  phantom  disappears. 


ZS 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


LAMENT  OF  A  SKELETON 

IStar  Mnlnt,  in  Frana,  bai  bin  unianhtd  in  a  ca-vt,  unjir  a 
latxt  Mtumulatitn  tftattr  dipuiti,  a  gravi  containing  Hut  litlttmi, 
evidtnlly  thtit  tf  a  man  and  a  lutman,  lying  lidi  by  tidi,  •with 
trinhli  leaiund  anund.     Thin  -win  all  rimovid  H  thi  mmnim.\ 

IN  AGES  gone,  when  Time  and  Earth  were  young, 
We  trod  the  wildness  of  the  swampy  gloom 
Where  night  of  horror  ever  round  us  hung ; 

We  heard  with  awe  the  mighty  billows  boom 
And  break  upon  the  beach  with  sounding  crash ; 

We  saw  the  rivers  delve  their  dykes  of  stone, 
Or  burst  the  barriers  of  the  hills  and  dash 

Primeval  monarchs  from  their  seated  throne. 
Within  the  pathless  forests  we  pursued 

The  mighty  monsters ;  or  for  life  we  fought. 
And  when  the  snarling  savage  lay  subdued, 

His  shaggy  spoils  for  food  and  vesture  brought 
Within  the  murkv  hollows  of  our  cave. 

Where  jutting  shelves  of  jagged  rock  were  piled 
On  shapeless  shattered  walls,  and  gave 

A  dismal  shelter  from  the  winter  wild. 


We  lived  our  lives.    With  zeal  we  blindly  did 
The  lowly  task  allotted  us, — with  crude 

Materials  of  i  e  early  world  amid 
The  rugged  cliffs  to  make  a  pathway  rude 


26 


And  Other  Poems 


For  after-feet  to  widen  and  improve : 

For  all  the  generations  of  the  past 
Have  merely  builded  for  the  hosts  that  move 

Through  many  windings  to  the  height  at  last 
We  lived  our  lives:  and  when  the  summons  came, 

Our  rude  but  reverent  sons  assembling,  laid 
Us  side  by  side  withm  the  cave-the  same 
Dim  cave  that  held  us  living— all  arraye<l 
As  when  in  life.    Then  round  about  >hey  set 

Utensils  of  our  dwelling,  few  but  dear; 
Cru<le-shapen  gods  and  beaded  amulet, 

And  in  our  hand  the  ready  blade  and  spear; 
That  we  might  take  our  long  untroubled  rest, 

And,  when  the  wakening  came  (foretoM 
By  haunting  whispers  of  the  secret  breast). 

Arise  again  as  in  the  days  of  old, 
Equipped  and  ready,  even  here  perchance. 

Within  the  precii^s  of  our  former  homt,  "^ 
Frequented  paths  to  traverse,  or  advance 
To  lands  afar  beyond  the  sunset  foam. 
Long  ages  rolled  away.    Fierce  tribes  of  men 

Abode  and  wandered  near  our  lowly  bed ; 
Succeeding  monsters  came  and  went  again,' 

And  left  their  whitening  bones  above  our  head 
But  though  the  darkness  had  not  wholly  ceased, 

Though  still  we  lay  in  silent  restful  sleep. 
No  prying  savage  man  nor  prowling  beast 

Profaned  the  chamber  of  our  slumber  deep. 

But  now.  when  all  with  waking  morning  thrills, 

And  .shadows  fleet  are  sweeping  to  the  west. 


27 


A  Biossom  of  the  Sea 


When  light  is  flushing  all  the  eastern  hi.ls, 

Unhallowed  hands  have  broken  on  our  rest. 
The  robe  of  clay,  the  panoply  of  dust 

That  Nature  for  the  soul  immortal  weaves, 
Is  heartless  left  for  every  wandering  gust 

To  scatter  widely  as  the  Sibyl's  leaves. 
Our  graves  their  desecrating  hands  have  marred, 

And  stolen  all  the  treasures  prized  in  life — 
Our  gods,  the  clustered  beads,  the  flinty  shard 

We  shaped  with  toil  to  arrow-head  or  knife. 
Our  bones  they  sever  from  enshrouding  dust 

And  for  a  curious,  gaping  crowd"  retain, 
Who  in  our  eyes  unfeeling  fingers  thrust, 

Explore  the  cavemed  hollow  of  the  brain ; 
The  wasted  relics  of  our  frame  compare 

With  those  of  ancient  men  of  other  lands, 
Or  even  brutes  that  grovel  in  a  lair. 

Of  mumbling,  speechless  lips  and  artless  hands ; 
The  lips  that  note  of  music  never  framed. 

That  never  trembling  with  emotion  prayed. 
At  rolling  rhythmic  numbers  never  aimed. 

Nor  raptured  throngs  to  thrilling  passion  swayed ; 
The  hands  that  never  planted,  tilled  a  neld. 

Nor  built  enduring  shelter  from  the  storm ; 
That  never  shaped  a  garment  rude  to  shield 

From  cold  and  chilling  blast  the  shrinking  form; 
The  hands  that  never  scooped  a  hollow  grave 

Nor  reared  memorial  for  a  fallen  mate ; 
The  lips  that  never  Sorrow  comfort  gave 

With  whispered  vision  of  immortal  state ; 

aS 


And  Other  Poems 


The  lips  that  never  mellow  sweetness  blew 

From  sounding  pipe  amid  the  evening  shade ; 
The  hands  that  never  lines  of  beauty  drew, 
Nor  with  enwoven  rainbow  colors  played ; 
Dull  brutes  of  thoughtless  mind,  as  is  their  own, 

Who,  looking  merely  at  tlie  outward  shape 
And  not  the  inward  soul,  so  blind  have  grown 
They  cannot  tell  the  man  from  blinking  ape. 
When  comes  the  hour,  ah,  how  shall  we  arise 

Equipped  and  ready  for  the  mighty  change  ? 
With  what  amaze  shall  we  unclose  our  eyes 
'Mid  stranger  faces  in  a  dwelling  strange ! 
Our  scatte-ed  relics  to  the  grave  restore, 

Replace  the  chaplet  round  the  dreaming  head. 
Pollute  our  sacred  resting-place  no  more,— 

Will  not  the  gods  avenge  the  sleeping  deid  ? 
Are  not  the  ashes  of  thy  parents  dea-? 

What  bitter  anguish  thine,  shouldst  thou  behold 
A  stranger  rend  the  mound  to  grope,  and  peer 

For  treasured  keepsake  'mid  their  sacred  mould,— 
From  faded  hair  to  loose  the  clasping  band, 

The  fallen  eardrop  from  its  dust  to  cull, 
To  snatch  the  circlet  from  the  fleshless  hand. 
And  set  for  ghastly  show  the  grinning  skull ! 
It  makes  the  desecration  none  the  less 

Because  a  score  of  centuries  have  flown, 
Because  our  sons  may  not  the  wrong  redress. 
Who  too  have  slumbered  countless  years  unknown. 


29 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


A  granite  tomb,  whose  ponderous  iron  gates 

Display  thy  gilded  titles  deep  enscrolled, 
Upon  a  grassy  slope  of  sunlight  waits 

Thy  chambered  ashes  ever  safe  to  hold : 
But  Time  can  cleave  thy  monumental  stones 

And  gnaw  the  massy  iron  bars  to  rust; 
The  sun  may  whiten  yet  thy  scattered  bones 

And  winds  may  strew  the  desert  with  thy  dust 
Our  lowly  chamber  then  no  more  profane 

Restore  to  strengthless  hand  the  precious  blade 
Here  let  the  beaded  chaplet  still  remain 

Upon  the  brow,  by  loving  fingers  laid ; 
Then  smooth  my  bed  and  let  me  slumber  on 

My  bride  enfolded  to  my  pulseless  breast ' 
And  then  when  all  that  loved  thee  too  are  gone, 

Secure  mayst  thou  in  vaulted  chamber  rest. 


.'   I 


30 


i 


And  Other  Poems 


SEMPL.i^  ;:ADEf/i 

TN  THE  DIMNESS  of  ages  agone. 
1     Where  the  Nile  water  glimmere.l  and  flowed 
in  a  ponderous  palace  of  stone 
A  dusk  little  princess  abode. 
Though  gloomy  and  weird  was  the  hall, 

And  frowning  the  huge  colonnade, 
A  flutter  of  light  seemed  to  fall 

Wherever  the  little  one  strayed. 
Her  eyes  had  the  darkness  aglow 

And  the  love  of  the  springing  gazelle ; 
Her  voice  was  a  dream-brook  aflow 

With  an  echo  of  silver-lipped  bell. 
The  maiden  was  nimble  and  fleet 

And  graceful  as  moon-loving  fay. 
The  fall  of  her  diligent  feet 

As  the  patter  of  wind-fluttered  spray. 
She  flitted  like  bird  unconfined 

Where  columns  colossal  uprose, 
Where  sad- featured  sphinxes  reclined 
In  the  strength  of  their  stolid  repose. 
And  ever  with  dusk  little  arms 

A  doll  to  her  bosom  she  held, 
And  murmured  its  manifold  charms 
To  the  deaf  granite  monarchs  of  eld. 


31 


■'{ 


<l 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


And  oft  as  she  prattled  and  played, 
A  queen-mother's  amorous  eyes 

From  dark  drooping  lashes  betrayed 
A  languorous  gleam  of  surprise. 

Though  pillared  with  ponderous  stone, 

Yet  Death  through  the  palace  gate  crept ; 
At  the  touch  of  his  magic  unknown 

The  maiden  grew  languid  and  slept. 
The  queen-mother  bent  o'er  the  maid, 

Her  dark  lashes  drooping  with  tears 
As  the  form  she  composed  and  arrayed 

For  the  silence  and  slumber  of  years. 
The  doll  she  had  loved  and  caressed 

And  every  heart-secret  had  told 
Was  pillowed  again  on  her  breast, 

Enclasped  with  the  fervor  of  old. 
One  earth-love,  at  least,  would  be  nigh, 

Though  near  her  no  mother  might  stand 
To  answer  her  wakening  cry 

In  the  halls  of  the  Shadowy  Land. 

The  days  have  now  lengthened  to  years. 

The  years  into  ages  have  grown, 
The  sphinx-guarded  palace  uprears 

No  longer  its  masses  of  stone ; 
The  huge,  granite  column  sublime 

Is  fallen  or  crumbled  to  naught ; 
But  Ruin  and  ravaging  Time 

No  change  in  the  sleeper  have  wrought. 


3» 


( 


And  Other  Poems 


She  sleeps  as  she  slumbered  of  old 

When  she  peacefully  sank  to  her  rest, 
And  the  dusk  little  fingers  yet  hold 

The  mother's  gift  close  to  her  breast. 
Does  she  wait  for  a  low-whispered  tone, 

The  touch  of  a  soft-resting  hand, 
The  pressure  of  lips  on  her  own 

Ere  she  wake  in  the  Shadowy  Land  ? 

O  Sleeper  of  breathless  repose. 

Thy  slumber  is  restful  and  long, 
Thy  lips  will  no  secret  disclose 

Of  the  Land  where  the  Silences  throng. 
Yet,  speechless  and  still  as  thou  art. 

Thou  teachest  that  kingdoms  may  wane, 
But  the  longings  and  loves  of  the  heart 

Forever  unaltered  remain. 
We  must  love :  to  the  earthly  we  turn, 

For  the  earthly  is  near  us  and  fair ; 
In  our  heaven  no  joy  we  discern 

If  the  loved  of  the  earth  be  not  there. 
The  heart,  in  all  ages  the  same. 

Will  worship  at  altars  of  clay. 
But  shudder  and  shrink  when  the  flame 

Has  flickered  and  faded  away. 
Forever  the  same  is  the  heart, 

And  firm  and  unshaken  its  trust 
That  Death  does  not  finally  part, 

Nor  man  ever  slumber  in  dust. 


33 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


THE  QUEEN 


i. 


T  SAW  her  when  the  midnight  summons  came 
1      That  called  her  from  a  maiden's  happy  sleep 

To  all  the  cares  and  glories  of  a  throne, 

When,  tiirough  the  trembling  tears,  her  eyes  revealed 

Her  childhood  resolution  "to  be  good." 

I  saw  her  at  the  bridal  altar  stand, 
Unfettered  by  "conveniences  of  State." 
And  link  her  hand— where  Love  had  linked  her  heart- 
To  one  whose  heart  made  music  to  her  own, 
Whose  hand  alike  had  skill  in  kindly  deeds. 

I  saw,  when  children  played  around  her  knee, 
She  ne'er  forgot  the  mother  in  the  queen; 
But,  in  their  busy  simple  ways  of  life. 
She  taught  their  early  lips  her  love  of  truth, 
Their  feet  the  path  to  Duty  and  to  God. 

I  saw  her  when  the  sudden  Herald  came, 
Who  claims  the  best  from  hut  or  princely  hall. 
She  bowed  her  queenly  head  in  human  woe. 
Then,  unforgetful  of  the  bitter  smart. 
Resumed  the  doubled  weight  of  life,  alone. 


34 


And  Other  Poems 


I  saw,  from  wider  realm  than  ever  bowed 

To  ancient  Rome  in  her  imperial  day, 

Her  thronging  sons  assemble  round  her  throne 

And,  with  a  freeman's  fervent  homage,  greet 

The  peerless  queen,  who,  thrice  a  score  of  years, 

Had  built  her  surest  empire  in  their  hearts. 

They  came  from  mapled  slopes,  from  burning  Ind, 

From  Afric  plain  and  ocean  isles  afar— 

Not  terror-driven  by  a  victor  dread 

Whose  chariot  rims  were  dripping  with  the  gore 

Of  millions  trampled  under  iron  heels. 

But  love-impelled  by  one  that  drew  them  nigh. 

As  teacher  of  the  gentle  arts  of  peace. 

As  model  queen,  who  wore  a  mother's  heart 

That  beat  or  throbbed  at  human  joy  or  woe. 

What  marvel  that  the  fount  of  feeling  broke. 

And  that  her  eyes  with  grateful  tears  were  dim. 

To  find  the  task  of  weary  years  approved 

By  all  the  myriads  of  her  ample  realm ! 

I  saw  her  when  the  reverent  world  stood  hushed, 
And  silent  waited  for  the  coming  stroke 
That  cleft  the  links  of  earth,  and  set  her  free 
To  join  the  lost  companion  of  her  youth 
Who  long  had  waited  on  the  Hills  of  Morn. 

What  richer  meed  has  mortal  ever  won  ? 
She  leaves  the  realm  the  better  for  her  reign, 
The  home  the  purer  for  her  blameless  life. 


35 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


The  sceptre  brighter  for  her  stainless  hand. 
The  bell  of  Time  has  rung  the  hour  of  rest ; 
She  calmly  lays  the  robe  and  sceptre  down 
And  sinks  to  deep  repose.    Her  task  is  done, 
Her  childhood  promise  kept — she  has  been  "good" 
The  Lord  has  therefore  given  length  of  days. 
And  now,  when  all  the  millions  of  the  earth 
Have  thrice  approved  the  glories  of  her  life. 
She  fearless  waits  the  judgment  of  her  God. 

January,  1901. 


36 


And  Other  Poems 


REX  MORTUUS  EST.  TAMEN  VIVIT 

"BUiud  art  the  Uacemahrj.fcr  they  .hall  i, 
ealltd  the  chtldrtn  of  God. " 

DUT  LATE  we  bowed  and  wept  his  mother's  loss; 

i-»  roc  soon  his  feet  have  trod  her  way  of  death- 

His  promise  was  to  follow  in  her  steps  • 

Too  faithfully  has  he  that  promise  kept' 

And  followed  where  her  steps  no  more  return 

Achilles  chose  a  short,  eventful  life, 

And  sought  and  won  his  fame  by  warlike  deeds  • 

Eventful  too  and  brief  was  Edward's  reign, 

But  he  has  won  a  richer  meed  of  praise 

By  wisely  guiding  hostile  lands  to  sheathe 

The  eager  sword  and  doff  the  brazen  helm. 

The  only  monarch  since  the  dawn  of  Time 

To  walk  supreme  and  win  the  world's  applause 

Yet  be  in  thought  and  deed  a  Prince  of  Peace  • 

And  therefore  shall  they  call  our  Edward  blest 

And  name  him  with  the  children  of  our  God. 

Britannia's  ancient  foe,  ambitious  Gaul, 

Won  by  his  wise  and  gentle  words,  now  stands 

Unhelmeted,  a  brother  by  her  side. 

And  he  who  wields  an  iron  sceptre  o'er 

The  hosts  diverse  of  Europe's  widest  realm 


37 


A  Blossom  oj  the  Sea 


Abates  his  wrath  at  touch  of  Edward's  hand. 
And  even  he  whose  restless  spirit  l<eeps 
In  ferment  Europe,  seemingly  has  found 
In  milder  counsels  truer  wisdom  lies, 
And  holds  in  check  his  martial  hosts  awhile. 
The  alien  foes  that  battled  fierce  and  long 
On  native  veldt  forget  the  bitter  feud, 
And,  yielding  to  his  wish,  unite  and  meet 
Where  Boer  and  Briton  counsel  side  by  side. 
Won  by  his  genial  heart  and  proffered  hand, 
Across  the  sea  a  kindred,  once  estranged, 
Warmed  by  the  thrill  of  common  Sa.\on  blood. 
Revere  a  man  that  was  a  king  indeed, 
And  closer  draw  the  bonds  of  brotherhooil. 

The  truest  and  the  best  beloved  of  kings 
Whether  at  home  or  in  the  realms  abroad ; 
Preserver  of  all  dignity  and  grace, 
Discreetly  wise,  discerning  well  the  hour 
To  speak,  and  speaking  then  the  fitting  word. 
Regardful  of  his  office  high,  full  well 
His  dying  lips  may  tell  of  duty  done. 

Dwelling  unrivaled  in  his  people's  hearts. 
He  freely  walked  among  his  own,  nor  feared 
The  stealthy  dagger  of  a  lurking  foe. 
Above  all  faction  strife  exalted  high 
He  held  the  balance  with  an  even  hand ; 
Nor  he  the  target  for  the  bitter  shafts 
Shot  from  the  bows  of  venal  pamphleteers. 


38 


!i 


And  Other  Poems 


Nor  victim  of  the  dastardly  cartoons 

Degrading  to  the  office  and  the  land  ' 

Subversive  of  respect  anci  reverence 

A  democratic  king  thrt  l:vt  I  and  thought 

And  labored  only  for  his  people's  good, 

Bowed  with  his  weight  of  care,  yet  to  the  last 

Regardful  of  his  duty-such  a  king 

And  such  a  reign,  to  all  the  world  attest 

The  wisdom,  garnered  for  a  thousand  years 

That  reared  on  Britain's  isle  a  stately  throne 

And  placed  a  sceptre  in  a  kingly  hand- 

The  surest  pledge  of  stable  government; 

A  kmgdom,  yet  a  true  democracy 

Where,  though  the  people  rule,  a  king  may  reign 

And  toil  and  serve  all  his  allotted  days. 

From  graceful  pine  a  pine  alone  can  spring 

From  fragrant  roses  naught  but  roses  grow- 

i>on  of  a  sire,  as  patron  of  the  Arts 

And  Sciences,  beloved  and  honored  y-t 

1  hough  half  a  busy  century  has  fJed 

Son  of  a  mother  who,  although  a  queen. 

Was  yet  a  queen  of  mothers,  who,  in  heart 

Snow-pure,  kept  all  her  court  unstained- 

Of  such  a  mother  and  of  such  a  sire 

A  worthy  son  has  England's  Edward  been. 

The  pledge  he  gave  the  nation  he  has  kept; 
He  loved  his  own  and  loved  them  to  the  end, 
And  for  them  labored  to  his  latest  breath 


39 


A  Bhssotn  of  the  Sea 


No  more  can  mortal  claim  than  duty  done. 
Man  among  men,  king  among  Icings  he  stocKl ; 
Now,  summoned  from  us  to  a  higher  throne, 
He  waits  the  judgment  of  the  King  of  kings. 


40 


And  Other  Poems 


AMBITION  AND  PRAISE 

"I  .harg,  ih..  Cnmi^ell,  Jli„g  ai,'ay  ambiti,n.  " 

A  MBITION  fling  thou  not  away 
^k      Except  the  baser  kind ; 
Nay,  rather  strive  to  bring  in  play 

All  virtues  of  thy  mind. 
'Tis  both  the  duty  and  the  right 

Of  every  earnest  man 
To  mark  afar  the  distant  height 

And  reach  it  if  he  can. 
Let  not  a  talent  buried  lie; 

Swift  follow  Thought  with  Deed 
For  wmged  life  is  flitting  by 

And  instant  is  the  need. 
Awaken  every  dormant  power. 

Its  fullest  service  give; 

Relax  not  till  the  latest  hour. 

Life's  every  moment  live.  ' 

With  dauntless  energy  of  soul 

Each  nerve  unwearied  strain 

To  reach  the  very  farthest  goal 

Thy  genius  may  attain. 
If  tho,;  outrun  the  foremost  van, 
Relinquish  not  the  strife; 


4r 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


For  he  is  nearest  perfect  man 

That  makes  the  most  of  life. 
If  honest  lips  with  praise  reward 

Thy  honest  word  or  deed, 
Contemn  it  not,  nor  disregard, — 

Accept  it  as  thy  meed. 
Too  seldom  far  a  noble  fame 

A  noble  life  repays; 
Too  many  are  the  lips  that  blame. 

Too  few  that  utter  praise. 
If  in  our  purer  thoughts  we  trust 

Some  merit  God  may  see, 
The  praises  of  the  goo<l  or  just 

Unfitting  cannot  be. 
Then  seek  deserts  of  honest  worth 

By  honest  judgment  given; 
Who  wins  the  praises  of  the  earth 

May  win  the  praise  of  Heaven. 


March,  1900. 


42 


And  Other  Poems 


OUR  CITY  COUSIN 

SHE  leaves  the  city  dust  and  heat 
To  walk  among  our  meadows  sweet, 
'Neath  Gothic  arms  of  elms  to  stray 

And  couch  amid  the  waving  grass, 
To  watch  the  lights  and  shadows  play 

On  dimpled  waters  as  they  pass, 
That  hastening  over  pebbled  ways 
In  gurgling  tones  of  gladness  praise 
The  circling  grove  of  cedars  cool 
That  shade  their  home,  the  glassy  pool. 

The  morning  clouds  of  changeful  hue 
Were  isles  afloat  in  seas  of  blue. 
She  saw  afar  in  sunset  sky, 

Enwrapt  in  soft  and  fleecy  fold, 
The  angel  children  dreaming  lie 

On  purple  pillows  fringed  with  gold ; 
She  saw  the  noontide  shadows  deep 
Like  ghosts  across  the  meadow  sweep, 
And  shining  chargers  swift  pursue 
O'er  hill  and  dale  till  lost  to  view. 

For  her  the  winds  in  billows  rolled 
Our  ripened  wheat  as  molten  gold 


43 


A  Blossom  of  the.  Sea 


Or  lightly  touched  the  crested  oats 

That  lay  like  level  seas  between, 
Or  swayed  each  tasseled  staff  that  floats 

On  isles  of  maize  the  streamers  green ; 
Our  groves  were  homes  for  prayer  and  thought, 
Whose  very  hush  and  silence  wrought 
A  tone  of  sweetness  never  heard 
In  fluted  strain  jr  spoken  word. 

The  minstrels  of  the  dawn  would  meet 
To  break  with  song  her  slumber  sweet ; 
The  horses  listen  for  her  tread. 

And  curve  the  glossy  neck  and  stand 
With  pointed  ear  and  nostril  spread 

To  win  caress  of  silken  hand; 
The  lowing  kine  assembled  all 
When  summoned  by  her  ringing  call. 
And  gazed  with  dark  and  dreamy  eyes 
Where  love  was  mingled  with  surprise. 

The  fruits  and  blossoms  on  the  farm 
Had  each  for  her  a  novel  charm: 
The  berry  dwelt  in  hamlet  green. 

With  streets  that  wound  in  tangled  maze, 
Where  faces  rose  from  leafy  screen 

In  clustered  groups  to  peer  and  gaze ; 
The  sumach  torches  held  aglow. 
The  cherry  bending  branches  low 
Extended  tinted  finger-tips 


I 


U 


And  Other  Poems 


To  dye  in  deeper  red  her  lips. 
The  vine  a  leafy  hammock  hung 
By  airy  finger  lightly  swung; 
To  catch  her  gown  the  roses  leant,— 

Their  clinging  hands  her  step  delayed, 
But  while  the  head  in  blushes  ben^, 

The  honeyed  lip  excuses  made; 
A  fairy  music  seemed  to  dwell 
In  Morning  Glory':,  swinging  bell. 
And  snowy  lilies  of  the  shade 
In  tiny  tones  a  tinkling  made. 

Yet  amply  too  the  city  maid 
The  country  cheer  to  us  repaid ; 
Her  motions  had  the  airy  grace 

And  fleetness  of  the  woodland  fawn; 
A  light  seemed  breaking  o'er  her  face 

That  promised  ever  brighter  dawn ; 
The  touches  of  her  dainty  hand 
Had  magic  of  a  wizard's  wand, 
For  where  her  busy  fingers  wrought 
They  all  to  ordered  beauty  brought. 

To  ornament  our  barren  rooms 
Her  pencil  imaged  clustered  blooms, 
Or  dreamy,  shadow-haunted  nooks 

Where  dusky  twilight  ever  dwells. 
Or  grassy  banks  and  winding  brooks 

Where  herds  had  hushed  their  clanging  bells. 


45 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


Her  dainty  fingers  garments  shaped 
In  simple,  artful  beauty  draped, 
Where  needle  traced  the  graceful  line 
Of  tinted  leaf  and  trailing  vine. 


When  softly  glowed  the  twilight  star 

She  told  us  tales  of  lands  afar, 

Or  sang  us  songs  that  hushed  the  heart 

To  all  the  calm  of  eventide, 
In  low,  rich  tones,  till  tears  would  start 

That  smiling  lip  could  hardly  hide ; 
And  when  the  keys  her  fingers  swept, 
Such  rapture  o'er  our  senses  crept 
That  in  our  dreams  the  tones  we  heard 
Of  tinkling  rill  and  piping  bird. 


1  I 


Or  oft  some  ballad  would  she  read 
That  prompted  breast  to  noble  deed; 
Or  lyric  lay  of  sweet  content 

That  made  some  lowly  heart  divine; 
Yet  to  the  thought  her  reading  lent 

An  added  charm  to  every  line; 
For  when  she  read  and  when  she  sung, 
A  richness  dwelt  upon  her  tongue 
That  every  bosom  thrilled  and  stirred 
To  rapture  at  the  poet's  word. 

46 


i  i 


And  Other  Poems 


She  sat  where  orchard  gold  and  shade 
Upon  her  loosened  tresses  played — 
The  tree  took  from  its  yellow  hoard 

An  apple  which  the  fragrant  sap 
With  treasures  of  a  year  had  stored, 

And  flung  it  lightly  in  her  lap- 
Then  I  who  loved  her  dearly  too, 
My  offering  of  devotion  threw, 
A  heart  with  true  affection  rife, 
The  gathered  treasures  of  my  life. 

And  thus  the  cheery  city  maid 
Has  in  our  country  cottage  stayed; 
For  here  beside  me  now  she  stands. 

My  bride  of  twenty  years  ago: 
There  still  is  magic  in  her  hands. 

As  I  and  all  the  neighbors  know; 
Their  touch  is  balm  for  every  pain 
Of  saddened  heart  or  fevered  brain. 
They  still  can  deftly  touch  the  string 
Or  home  to  ordered  beauty  bring. 

The  sounds  and  sights  upon  the  farm 
For  her  have  never  lost  their  charm : 
For  mystic  notes  pervade  the  air 

And  o'er  the  quiet  spirit  steal. 
And  forms  of  beauty  everywhere 

Their  ever  changing  shades  reveal ; 
The  herds  at  pasture  each  and  all 


47 


\    I 

H 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


Will  come  in  answer  to  her  call, 
And  fondly  still  around  her  press 
To  share  her  silken  hand's  caress. 

And  all  the  neighbors  feel  as  well 

Her  presence  casts  a  fairy  spell: 

Like  hers,  have  grown  their  dwellings  bright ; 

Serener  shines  the  morning  sun, 
And  Duty  feels  the  burden  light 

When  Beauty's  feet  before  her  run; 
A  pi"--. ,  ray  the  breast  inflames 
With  sweeter  joys  and  higher  aims; 
Their  fruitful  lands  a  charm  disclose 
And  bud  and  blossom  as  the  rose. 


4B 


And  Other  Poems 


A  CHILD'S  QUESTION 

MOTHER,  tell  me  what  is  death," 
Said  my  little  maid  to-day, 
Cominp  from  a  neighbor  home 
Where  her  playmate  silent  lay. 

"When  we  die,  we  journey  far 
Past  remotest  shining  star. 
Onward  to  a  distant  gate 
Where  eternal  mansions  wait." 

"Mother,  tell  me  what  is  death. 

Bertha  is  not  gone  away. 
For  I  saw  her  clad  in  flowers 
Lying  on  her  couch  to-day." 

"Death  is  like  a  slumber  deep 
When  the  weary  soundly  sleep. 
Where  no  passing  vision  stands 
Haunting  with  its  shadow  hands." 

"Mother,  tell  me  what  is  death- 
Bertha  is  not  sleeping  now; 
She  is  cold,  and  did  not  wake 
When  I  bent  and  kissed  her  brow." 
"Long  that  slumber  is  and  deep ; 
Ere  she  wakens  from  her  sleep 
In  the  arms  of  earth  she  must 
Mingle  with  her  kindred  dust." 


49 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


"Mother,  tell  me  what  is  death. 

If  in  dust  my  Bertha  lies, 
How  can  she  awake  or  dwell 
Far  beyond  the  glowing  skies  ?" 
"Bertha's  form  alone  will  sleep: 
This  will  earth  enfolding  keep; 
But  her  soul  is  gone  afar 
Past  remotest  shining  star." 

"Mother,  tell  me  what  is  death. 
More  and  more  obscure  it  grows. 

What  is  this  you  call  the  soul? 
Tell  me  where  and  how  it  goes." 

"Child,  I  know  not  what  is  death. 
Bosom  void  of  heaving  breath — 
Changeless  pallor  of  the  cheek— 
Hueless  lips  that  will  not  speak — 
Hands  that  clasp  not  as  of  old — 
Lids  that  nevermore  unfold. 
These  I  see,  but  cannot  tell 
How  is  wrought  the  sudden  spell. 

"What  we  mortals  call  the  soul 
Comprehends  no  human  mind; 

Best  we  know  its  presence  here 
From  the  blank  it  leaves  behind. 

O  the  transformation  vast 

When  the  viewless  guest  has  passed, 

Taking  all  that  wins  and  thrills, 
Dimpling  blush  and  warm  caress, — 


SO 


And  Other  Poems 


Leaving  what  repels  and  chills, 
Pallor,  cold  and  nothingness. 

"All  the  noble,  great  and  good 

Since  the  dawning  hour  of  Time, 
All  the  hordes  in  homeless  wood,  ' 

Arctic  wild  or  torrid  clime. 
In  the  lonely  silent  hour 
When  this  viewless  guest  has  power 
i^amtly  hear  an  inner  voice, 

Constant  as  a  distant  wave. 
Whisper  of  an  endless  life 
And  a  land  beyond  the  grave. 

"In  the  silent  midnight  hour, 
„^^''«"  *e  things  of  sense  depart. 
When  the  inward  listening  ear 

Hears  the  beating  of  the  heart, 
In  the  hush  I  too  have  heard 
Solemn  tone  and  mystic  word 
Chanted  by  the  hidden  guest 
In  the  chamber  of  my  breast. 

"I,  upon  the  summit  won 

In  our  struggling  slow  advance. 
Through  the  mist  of  elder  days 

Turn  and  cast  a  backward  glance 
Down  the  pathways  of  the  Past 

Comes  the  beating  tramp  of  men 
Sweeping  o'er  the  levels  vast, 

Thronging  mountain  steep  and  glen: 


SI 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


\i' 


u 


Ruddy  youth  with  sturdy  tread, 
Wrinkled  age  with  bowing  head, 
Ordered  hosts  and  scattered  hordes, 
Pressing  to  the  fatal  fords. 
Though  they  shu'Mer,  pause  and  shrink, 
Yet,  when  trembling  on  the  brink. 
All  expectant  look  before 
For  the  viewless  father  shore, 
Whence,  perchance,  a  distant  gleam 
Breaks  afar  across  the  stream. 

"Since  through  all  the  maze  of  years 

From  the  early  dawn  of  Time, 
Crouching  slave  and  sceptered  lord. 

Bom  of  every  age  and  clime, — 
Since  the  millions  of  the  past 

Have,  until  their  latest  breath. 
Trusted  in  a  world  that  lies 

Just  beyond  the  fords  of  death, — 
Since  I  hear  this  inward  voice 

Whisper  of  the  l-'fe  to  be, — 
Since  to  every  mortal  bom 

Comes  the  whisper  as  to  me, — 
I  believe  the  soul  exists, 

Though  its  form  I  cannot  see; 
I  believe  in  world  afar. 
Past  remotest  shining  star. 
But,  my  maiden,  what  is  death. 

What  the  misty  waters  hide, 
You  nor  I  shall  ever  know 

Till  we  cross  the  darkened  tide." 


52 


And  Other  Poems 


ON  A  DOG  BURIED  IN  HIS  MASTER'S  CLOAK 


yU  E,  WHEN  yet  the  dawning  light 
i  '  \  Scarce  had  broken  on  my  sight 
Clad  in  sable  silken  coat,  ' 

Home  my  future  master  bore: 
Snowy  ermine  at  my  throat, 

Glossy,  wavy  locks  I  wore. 
When,  of  playful  kin  berea^'cd, 
I  with  plaintive  whimper  grieved, 
Loving  tone  and  soft  caress 
Banished  all  my  loneliness. 

Him  to  love  I  early  learned. 
For  his  constant  presence  yearned; 
awift  his  bidding  I  obeyed. 
Fetched  and  carried  at  command. 

Amply  happy  if  repaid 
With  caresses  from  his  hand. 

Watchful  o'er  his  little  child. 

All  his  infant  cares  beguiled— 

Winter  cold  nor  summer  heat 

Ever  stayed  my  willing  feet. 

Trusty  guardian  I  lay 

Near  his  portal  night  and  day. 


53 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


When  his  coming  step  I  heard 
With  a  hearty  welcome  hied, 
Never  missing  kindly  word, 
Pacing  proudly  at  his  side. 
For  he  loved  me  living;  shed 
Tears  of  pity  o'er  me  dead. 
In  his  mantle  close  em°olled 
Here  I  slumber  in  the  mould. 

Earnest  mortal  pause  and  ask, 
"Hast  thou  done  thy  Master's  task? 
Hast  thou  kept  His  home,  thy  heart. 

Safely  guarded  night  and  day? 
Listened  for  His  tread,  to  dart 

Forth  to  meet  Him  on  the  way  ? 
Hast  thou  on  His  errands  fared. 
For  His  feeble  children  cared? 
Then,  in  mantle  ttoxi  His  breast 
Closely  folded  thou  shalt  rest." 

December,  1898. 


54. 


And  Other  Poems 


A  VIEW  OF  DEATH 

AXT'ITHIN  a  vale  of  darksome  depths,  where  rolled 

TV      A  maze  of  cloudy  vapor,  foul  and  dank, 
I  met  a  shadow  pale.     IJeneath  the  cold 

And  steely  terror  of  his  gaze  I  shrank; 
A  winter  chilled  the  chamber  of  my  heart ; 

I  trembled  at  his  cruel,  threatening  brow 
And  fJeshless  fingers  poising  jagged  dart; 

I  cried  with  hollow  voice,  "Oh,  what  art  thou  ?" 

"Men  call  me  Death,"  the  pallid  spectre  said, 

And  all  their  fear  and  horror  may  devise, 

At  my  approach  they  shudder  in  their  dread ;' 

And  yet  I  am  a  friend,  though  in  disguise. 

I  take  the  aged  when  the  eye  is  dim 

To  all  the  charms  of  earth,  when  dull  the  ear 
To  all  its  wondrous  music,  when  the  limb 

No  more  the  shaking  form  may  bear,  when  dear 
And  tender  friends  have  wandered  now 

Adown  the  vale  of  years  beyond  recall ; 
I  close  awhile  the  eye,  the  wrinkled  brow 

I  smooth  to  restful  peac«.,  and  bear  them  all 
To  waken  tearless  in  the  Happy  Isles 

Where  skies  are  cloudless  blue,  where  ceaseless  flow 
The  fountains  of  immortal  youth,  and  smiles 
Of  greeting  come  from  friends  of  long  ago. 


55 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


"Steel-sinewed  men,  hard  toiling  at  their  task 

From  dawn  to  dark,  till  shoulders  bend  and  bow 
As  though  with  weight  of  years,  and  wrinkles  mask 

With  stolid  lines  the  youthful  lip  and  brow, 
Who  see  no  dawning  through  the  darkness  loom, 

Nor  ever  star  a  transient  gleaming  throw 
Upon  the  desert,  black,  devoid  of  bloom, 

Where  Youth  is  endless  toil,  and  Age  is  woe, — 
These  oft  I  bear  away  on  sudden  wing, 

And  in  a  momen^  ope  their  weary  eyes 
On  lands  of  rest  and  blossoms  sweet,  that  bring 

The  glow  and  gladnes^  of  a  first  surprise. 


"The  happy  maiden,  flushed  with  joy  and  iicahh. 

While  loving  friends  unnumbered  round  her  throng, 
Whose  path  is  strewn  with  all  the  gifts  of  Wealth 

And  brightened  with  the  strains  of  morning  song, 
I  still  to  sleep  with  perfumed  opiate. 

Afar  convey  on  noiseless  pinion  swift. 
Where  at  the  parted  agate  portal  wait 

The  daughters  of  the  angels.    As  they  lift 
The  veils  of  slumber  from  her  dreaming  face. 

They  kiss  her  Up  and  cheek  to  wonted  glow. 
Unloose  her  braided  hair,  then  interlace 

Her  form  with  twining  arms,  and  straying  go. 
In  converse  low,  across  the  happy  fields. 

By  drooping  waters,  opal-palaced  streams. 
And  pathways  of  a  paradise  that  yields 

A  joy  beyond  the  fairest  of  our  dreams. 


56 


And  Other  Poems 


"The  pure,  unblemished  blossom,  angel-borne 
From  gardens  of  our  God,-before  the  fire 
Of  noon  has  blighted,  or  the  blast  has  torn. 

Or  heedless  feet  have  crushed  it  in  the  mire 
lill  tender  head  may  nevermore  uplift, 

Nor  slender  stem,  nor  waxen  petals  fair 
But  blacken  into  shapeless  dust  and  drift,— 
I  raise  and  back  to  Heaven's  garden  bear. 
The  babe,  who  .■  lips  but  lisp  the  early  word, 
Upon  the  gateway  verge  of  garnet  stands 
With  fair  white  feet,-the  curls  of  amber  stirred 

By  nectared  winds,  the  little  beck'ning  hands 
Outstretched,  the  eyes  expectant  peering  through 

A  depth  of  blue  less  clear  than  is  their  own 
It  sends  a  voice— the  earthly  voice,  yet,  too. 

Enriched  and  sweetened  to  a  seraph  tone- 
Far  past  the  shining  flight  of  floating  spheres. 

In  ever  fainting  echoes  ringing  on. 
Until  at  last  the  list'ning  mother  hears 

The  pleading  call  as  in  the  days  agone 
And  lifts  her  eyes,  long  drooped  and  drowned  with 
tears. 
In  glad  surprise,  and  comes  wfth  willing  feet 
Her  child  among  the  garden  walks  to  meet 
And  share  the  gladness  of  the  endless  years." 

I  raised  my  eyes.    The  valley  depths  were  bright 
With  all  the  glory  of  a  springing  dawn; 

I  saw  a  shining  Angel  of  the  Light, 
Whose  hand  had  just  the  veil  of  Heav'n  withdrawn. 


57 


\h 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


THE  DESERTED  HOUSE 


MY  FRIEND'S  deserted  home  I  passed: 
The  portal  wide  was  open  thrown, 
Across  the  thresho'd  snows  were  blown 
And  heaped  by  every  vagrant  blast; 
Within,  a  dainty  hand  had  cast 
A  counterpane  of  whitest  wool 
And  eider  pillows  fluffed  and  full. 


Ah !  once  from  out  that  open  door 

My  friend  came  hasting  forth  to  meet 
The  faintest  murmur  of  my  feet. 
I  here  shall  see  her  face  no  more; 
Her  bark  is  launched  to  reach  a  shore 
Whence,  of  the  myriads  that  have  crossed, 
None  re-embark,  or  all  are  lost. 

They  sail  a  never-changing  tide 
That  ever  ebbs  but  never  flows. 
Where  never  wind  but  outward  blows, 

Where  inbound  vessels  never  ride. 

As  far  in  misty  glooms  they  glide 

We  gaze  with  unavailing  tears 

And  sighs  that  never  reach  their  ears. 


ss 


And  Other  Poems 


But  whither  flows  the  changeless  tide, 
And  whither  blows  the  steady  gale,' 
What  seas  unknown  their  barks  may  sail 
What  isles  of  green  they  have  descried, 
The  misty  glooms  f.,rever  hide 
From  us,  who  watch,  our  vision  strain 
To  pierce  the  blinding  mist,  in  vain. 

Why  may  they  not  recross  the  stream? 
Why  never  co-iies  returning  sail 
To  bear  our  yearning  hearts  the  tale 
Of  lands  whereof  we  catch  a  gleam 
But  far  and  faint?    Or,  do  we  dream 
Of  shady  groves  and  fragrant  leas 
On  restful  isles  in  summer  seas  ? 

And  does  the  onward  current  sweep 
Their  vessels  to  the  sudden  verge 
Of  yawning  swirls  of  foaming  surge 
And  shroud  them  in  Lethean  deep? 
Or,  do  they,  ever  homeless,  creep 
O'er  seas  unknown  and  ever  tossed. 
In  blinding  glooms  perplexed  and  lost? 

O'erhung  by  clouds  without  a  rift. 
Embarking  in  a  shallop  frail 
With  unaccustomed  oar  and  sail. 
Amid  the  mists  that  never  lift 
Must  each  adown  the  current  drift: 


S9 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


No  lip  shall  else  the  secret  learn, 
What  lies  beyond  no  eyes  discern. 

Her  bark  perchance  hath  cleft  the  gloom 
And,  sliding  into  purple  sea, 
Hath  touched  a  land  of  level  lea 
And  limpid  stream,  where  planets  loom 
O'er  palm-empi'lared  banks  of  bloom: 
She  there,  as  erst,  beside  the  gate 
May  now  my  early  coming  wait. 

What  beacon  then  shall  thither  guide  ? 
For  if  alone,  when  I  embark, 
I  ever  thread  the  maze  of  dark 
And  never,  never  reach  her  side, — 
If  I  with  her  may  not  abide, 
I  care  not  what  abyss  may  keep 
Me  whelmed  forgotten  fathoms  deep. 


60 


^'  , 


And  Other  Poems 


TO  MIRIAM 


O   DAINTY,  fairy  Miriam, 
I  cannot  deem  thee  gone, 
But  as  of  old  thy  loving  heart 
To  neighbor  dwelling  drawn. 

Awaiting  here  thy  swift  return 

I  hear  thy  tripping  feet, 
I  see  thy  glad  uplifted  eyes 

Aglow  with  welcome  sweet. 

In  vain,  alas,  in  vain  I  wait 

And  long  thy  face  to  see. 
For  thou  to  me  wilt  not  return. 

But  I  shall  go  to  thee. 

If  He  that  holds  of  Life  and  Death 

The  keys  in  loving  hands 
Should  open  wide  the  shining  gates 

Where  each  in  glory  stands. 

And  freely  offer  me  the  choice 

To  leave  or  take  at  will, 
My  heart  would  leap  to  claim  its  own : 

My  heart  is  human  still. 


6i 


i\\ 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


II. 

Within  thy  distant  mansion  dwell 
No  kindred  thou  hast  known, 

And  all  its  unfamiUar  ways 
Thy  feet  must  tread  alone. 

O  mother,  in  that  world  afar 
Long  entered  on  thy  rest. 

Whose  whisper  dried  my  early  tear 
When  cradled  on  thy  breast, 

O  meet  my  lonely  little  one 
In  yonder  world  of  bliss. 

Bestow  on  her  the  care  and  love 
Thou  gavest  me  in  this. 

O  take  her  by  the  little  hand 

So  often  laid  in  mine. 
And  guide  her  unaccustomed  feet 

To  meet  the  Friend  divine. 


62 


III. 

I  wonder  where  thy  home  may  be 

In  yonder  realm  afar; 
I  see  thee  bask  on  rosy  cloud. 

Or  peer  from  limpid  star. 


And  Other  Poems 


I  see  the  imprint  of  thy  feet 

In  every  glowing  sky 
Thy  whisper  liear  in  every  breeze 

That  steals  reluctant  by. 

In  every  note  of  piping  bird 
That  greets  the  flushing  dawn 

I  hear  again  the  cheery  tones 
Of  happy  days  agone. 

And  when  by  evening's  cooling  breath 
My  troubled  brow  is  fanned, 

I  feel  again  the  mute  caress 
Of  lingering  loving  hand. 

Dost  thou,  as  ever,  hover  near 
To  comfort  hearts  that  grieve? 

Or  do  again  my  erring  sense 
And  yearning  breast  deceive? 


IV. 

What  new  and  dainty  beauties  now 
Thy  heart  and  hand  employ, 

That  found  in  pretty  things  of  earth 
Their  one  enduring  joy? 

Dost  thou  frequent  the  fragrant  meads 
Where  freshest  blooms  abound. 

And  garlands  weave  on  shadowed  banks 
By  rills  of  dreamy  sound? 


63 


l'^ 


il 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


What  rapture  and  surprise  are  thine 

Amid  the  ardent  throng, 
When  breaks  on  thy  delighted  ear 

The  primal  seraph  song? 

Are  yet  thy  darting  lips  attuned 

To  chant  the  glad  refrain, 
Or  do  they  still  a  note  reveal 

Of  earthly  love  and  pain? 

Dost  thou  ne'er  come  when  wide  the  gates 

Their  crystal  bars  unfold 
And  earthward  cast  a  longing  glance 

ToaU  the  loved  of  old? 


V. 

I  cannot  deem  with  earthly  days 

Thy  little  life  is  o'er. 
That  all  thy  gentle,  pretty  ways 

Are  lost  forevermore. 

Though  Science  teach  that  future  life 

Is  but  a  yawning  void, 
It  still  maintains  whate'er  exists 

May  never  be  destroyed. 

If  energy  can  never  cease. 

But  merely  suffer  change, 
This  fettered  life  may  find  release 

And  wider  regions  range. 


64 


And  Other  Poems 


Though  flame  extinguished  by  the  blast 

To  us  may  seem  to  die, 
Its  vital  breath  has  only  passed 

To  mingle  with  the  sky. 

Though  broken  stem  and  withered  leaf 

May  lie  upon  the  ground, 
The  flower's  fragrant  soul  has  fled 

Beyond  the  azure  round. 

The  taper  by  the  breath  outblown 

May  be  relit  again; 
The  wave  upborne  on  vapor  wings 

May  redescend  in  rain. 

Then  rob  me  not  of  that  wherein 

My  only  comfort  lies, — 
That  life  shall  find  a  fuller  life 

Beyond  the  morning  skies. 

If  this  my  dearest  hope  be  vain. 

If  earthy  life  be  all. 
Then  hasten.  Death,  to  dim  my  lamp 

And  drop  thy  darkest  pall. 

VI. 

Canst  thou  with  new  immortal  powers 

Thy  fuller  life  has  brought 
Outspeed  the  lightnings  of  the  sun, 

Outwing  the  fleetest  thought? 


\\\ 


6S 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


Canst  thou  explore  the  bounds  of  space, 

Or  sweep  the  planet's  round, 
Unveil  the  dim  remotest  sphere 

In  azure  deeps  profound  ? 

Canst  thou  with  clearness  comprehend, 

Unclogged  by  mortal  breath, 
The  hidden  mysteries  of  Life, 

This  darker  one  of  Death  ? 

Canst  thou  discern  how  Earth  and  Heaven 

Are  linked  by  viewless  chain. 
And  yet  thy  early  entrance  there 

Can  rend  this  heart  with  pain  ? 


66 


VII. 

What  constitutes  the  lasting  joy 

Of  thy  abode  supreme 
Whose  bliss  eternal  so  transcends 

Our  wildest  mortal  dream? 

Does  he  that  moulds  the  flaming  sphere. 
And  wheels  it  through  the  sky. 

Unaided  shape  the  silken  bud 
And  blend  its  dainty  dye? 

Or,  since  the  busy  hand  alone 

Can  here  enjoyi:.cnt  find. 
Has  He  each  reawakened  soul 

A  fitting  task  assigned  ? 


And  Other  Poems 


Who  drapes  in  mist  the  mountain's  brow 

Or  swathes  in  purple  fold  ? 
Who  piles  aloft  the  castled  clouds 

And  builds  their  roofs  of  gold? 

What  hand  directs  the  reinless  winds 
Or  guides  the  marldened  storms  ? 

Who  flings  to  earth  the  floating  flakes 
And  braids  their  crystal  forms  ? 

Who  shapes  the  seed  and  heaps  the  store 

About  its  tiny  germ, 
And  re-awakes  its  dormant  life 

At  the  appointed  term  ? 

Who  guides  the  upward  growth  to  grace, 
The  snow-lipped  chalice  moulds. 

And  pours  into  the  luscious  deeps 
Empurpled  pinks  and  golds? 

To  me  the  violet  of  the  grove 

Is  dearer  for  the  thought 
With  dainty  touch  thy  spirit  hands 

Its  beauties  may  have  wrought. 

All  tasks  may  reach  accomplishment 

In  such  serene  employ, 
Where  Death  no  more  may  still  the  hand 

Nor  Time  its  works  destroy ; 


67 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


Where  brcK^ling  Thought  has  ample  scope 

And  undisturbed  retreat; 
Where  string  of  lute  is  never  broke 

Nor  song  left  incomplete. 


VIII. 

There's  not  a  leisured  moment  wings 

This  reabn  of  Time  across 
But  on  its  passing  pinions  brings 

Reminders  of  thy  loss. 

I  miss  thee  when  the  wings  of  Dawn 

Their  glory  flashes  fling, 
That  brought  thy  step  and  morning  kiss, 

And  nevermore  will  bring. 

And  when  around  the  evening  board 
Our  heads  are  bowed  in  prayer, 

I  miss  the  little  earnest  lips 
That  named  "Our  Father"  there. 

I  miss  thee  when  the  clouds  of  gloom 

O'erdarken  as  the  night, 
And  through  involving  darkness  breaks 

No  single  beam  of  light ; 

When  up  to  brazen  skies  I  lift 

In  vain  my  pleading  eyes, 
When  even  God  seems  dead,  or  deaf 

To  all  my  pleading  cries. 


68 


And  Other  Poems 


IX. 

I  find  in  this  a  kind  of  strength 

My  sorrow  to  endure: 
That  He  that  gave  thee  pure  at  tirst 

Received  thee  back  as  pure; 

That  o'er  the  tender  hiied  meads 

Thy  path  has  ever  lain, 
And  dusts  of  earth  upon  thy  feet 

Have  left  no  evil  stain ; 

That  o'er  thy  little  silent  breast 
The  grasses  grow  so  green ; 

That  Autumn  drops  so  gently  down 
Her  tinted  leafy  screen ; 

That  passing  winds  of  Winter  hush 
Their  wails  to  whispers  low, 

And  spread  with  tender,  silent  hands 
Their  softest  veils  of  snow; 

That  o'er  the  Hills  of  Morning,  Spring 
Will  steal  with  noiseless  tread. 

And  wreathe  in  vine  and  violet 
Thy  little  lonely  bed ; 

That  far  beyond  the  Hills  of  Morn 

Thou  dost  expectant  wait 
To  greet  me  with  thy  wonted  joy 

When  coming  soon  or  late. 


69 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


J 


THE  SNOW 

ALL  DAY  leaden  vapors  had  lowered, 
The  wind  whistled  dismal  and  low, 
Till  mingled  with  Night's  darkest  pinions 
Came  swirling  the  white-winged  snow. 

The  lingering  blossoms  of  summer, 
The  last  and  the  latest  that  bloomed. 

Their  lips  with  the  life-flushes  tinted, 
The  quick  with  the  dead  were  entombed. 

The  vine  that  imploringly  lifted 
Meek  hands  to  the  pitiless  skies. 

Where  deepest  the  billows  are  drifted, 
Low-buried  and  smothering  lies. 

The  leaf  that  had  flaunted  defiant 
Its  flag  in  the  face  of  the  blast, 

All  stained  with  its  heart-blood  is  lying 
Enshrouded  and  silent  at  last. 

There  clovers  and  delicate  mosses 
In  whitest  of  cerements  are  wound, 

But  oh,  unto  my  heart  the  dearest 
Is  one  little  turf-woven  mound. 

For  there  under  late-growing  grasses, 
Where  evergreen  branches  droop  low. 

With  hands  laid  to  rest  on  her  bosom 
My  darling  sleeps  under  the  snow. 


7P 


And  Other  Poems 


WHITBY  LADIES-  COLLECr 

LO  A  DREAM  of  stately  be;...,v 
Stands  upon  a  gentle  hi  i  ;!u 
Where  a  gleam  of  azure  water^ 

Never  fades  upon  the  sight. 
In  the  hush  of  moonlit  splendor 

Echoes  faint  the  ear  will  reach 
As  the  feet  of  busy  breakers 

Patter  on  the  pebbled  beach. 
Thence  the  early  morning  breezes 

Fan  a  freshness  from  their  wings, 
And  the  shadow-mantled  evening 
Such  a  grateful  coolness  brings 
That  to  eye  it  gives  a  lustre 

And  to  lip  a  ruddy  wealth, 
While  the  cheek  of  Beauty  flushes 
With  the  glow  of  perfect  health. 
Where  it  crowns  the  pleasant  hilltop. 

Where  its  halls  in  slumber  lie 
First  the  Angels  of  the  Morning 

From  their  glowing  mansions  fly ; 
On  its  ample  roofs  alighting 

They  their  shining  pinions  fold 
While  they  deck  it  as  an  altar 

In  the  richest  "cloth  of  gold." 
As  their  jeweled  hands  are  draping 
Window,  parapet  and  wall, 


71 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


Flying  glints  and  gleams  of  glory 

On  the  lawn  in  flashes  fall, — 
Veils,  of  quivering  threads  enwoven. 

From  their  amber  chambers  brought, 
Shimmering  on  the  grassy  carpet. 

Velvet-green  and  pearl-enwrought — 
Hands  of  Midas,  softly  touching 

Maples  lifting  lofty  heads 
Till  a  gold  of  mellow  radiance 

All  their  branches  overspreads. 
Long  the  *iun  of  evening  lingers, 

And  with  love  his  fingers  rest 
As  he  flames  it  with  a  glory 

Ere  he  leaves  the  ruddy  West. 
When  the  night  is  o'er  it  bending 

Then  a  paler  splendor  falls 
That  in  folds  of  silk  and  silver 

Wraps  the  silence  of  the  walls. 
Flinging  flecks  of  light  and  shadow 

Where  each  faithful  sentry  stands 
Clad  in  Lincoln  green,  and  pointing 

With  his  warning  taper  hands, 
Where  the  stealthy  winds  have  stolen 

'Mid  the  sleepers  on  the  lawn. 
Blossom  breasts  of  hoards  to  rifle 

Treasured  for  the  crimson  Dawn. 

In  this  pleasant  mansion  Learning 
Stands  in  waiting  to  unfold 

All  the  treasures  that  the  ages 
In  their  ample  temples  hold : 


7' 


m 


And  Other  Poems 


1897. 


Art,  with  dainty  brush  and  palette, 

And  with  heaven-lifted  face, 
Stands  expectant,  fleeting  shadows 

In  unfading  lines  to  trace  ; 
Music  waits,  with  skilful  finger 

Ready  laid  upon  the  string. 

Magic  floods  of  melting  rapture 

On  the  fragrant  air  to  fling ; 

Here  Devotion  walks  with  Duty, 

And  the  mind  is  early  taught 
That  we  find  the  highest  pleasure 
In  the  world  of  Work  and  Thought. 

Blessings  on  the  heart  that  planned  it 

And  the  hand  that  wrought  it  well. 
For  in  halls  of  beauty  only 

Should  the  form  of  Beauty  dwell. 
Where  she  walks  the  way  of  Wisdom 

Art  and  Nature  both  should  meet. 
And  assembling  all  tlieir  treasure 

Lay  the  oflf'ring  at  her  feet. 
These  will  mould  her  heart  to  beauty. 
And  the  heart  will  mould  the  face, 
And  a  mind  and  soul  accordant 

Give  the  form  an  added  grace, 
Till  her  life  shall  beam  with  beauty 

And  the  happy  worM  divine 
That  the  forms  are  ever  fairest 
That  the  fairest  soul  enshrine. 


73 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


A  BLOSSOM  OF  THE  SEA 


I 


THE  trampling  hosts  had  come,  and  all  the  night 
In  massive  squadrons  clad  in  gleaming  steel, 
With  waving  flags  and  tossing  plumes  of  white. 

Had  rushed  with  thousand  thundering  feet,  and  peal 
Of  demon  laughter,  on  the  giant  rocks 

That  stood  in  stern  array,  in  harness  black, 
Unyielding  met  the  oft-repeated  shocks 

And  hurled  them  reeling,  rearing,  plunging  back. 
Above  the  battle's  deafening  roar  and  crash 

Loud  shrieks  and  muttered  groans  arose 
As  every  rolling  rank  would  onward  dash 

But  fall  and  flounder  at  the  feet  of  foes. 

The  beaten  hosts  confusedly  withdrew, 

Defeated  as  in  myriad  fights  before. 

But  scattering,  fled  to  gather  strength  arew, 
And  left  the  stolid  victors  on  the  shore. 

Aside  the  moon  her  floating  curtain  bounci 
And  peered  in  silence  at  the  fleeing  host. 

With  silver  tipped  each  tattfred  crest,  and  crowned 
In  gleaming  helms  the  guardians  of  the  coast. 

The  morning  came.     His  early  beams  looked  down 
On  wearied  chargers  deep  with  crimson  dved. 

And  giants  grim  who  still  witli  sullen  frown, 
And  brow  with  purple  gaslied.  the  foe  defied. 


74 


And  Other  Poems 


The  storm  had  ceased.    Around  the  sheltered  bay 

The  httle  town  awoke  again  to  hfe, 
And  many  a  snowy  canvas  swept  away 

Across  the  waves  yet  angry  from  their  strife. 
The  fishermen  beheld  on  every  side 

The  wreckage  of  some  stranded  ship  afloat ; 
The  broken  masts  were  scattered  far  and  wide, 

And,  helpless  on  the  waves,  a  tossing  boat. 
The  surges  to  and  fro  their  burden  rolled— 
A  wounded  sailor,  down  unconscious  cast, 
Whose  hands  yet  clenched  the  broken  oars  that  told 

Of  desperate  struggle  with  the  frenzied  blast. 
A  mother,  too,  whose  lifeless  arms  embraced 

A  babe  that  slumbered  snugly  wrapped  and  warm. 
About  whose  form  her  garments  she  had  placed 

And  left  her  own  half-naked  to  the  storm. 
The  fishermen  in  breathless  wonder  gazed, 

Then,  turning,  quickly  drew  the  boat  to  land. 
And,  stooping  low,  the  senseless  beings  raised 
And  here  them  home  with  tender,  loving  hand. 

The  babe  uninjured  from  its  dream  awoke ; 

But  not  its  prattle,  nor  the  kisses  pressed 
By  baby  lips,  nor  touch  of  baby  fingers,  broke 

The  silent  slumber  of  the  mother's  breast. 
Nor  e'er  returned  the  sailor's  consciousness ; 

But  oft  he  rose,  when  tossing  in  his  pain. 
And  cheered  the  mother  in  her  deep  distress, 

Then  fiercely  fought  his  battle  o'er  again. ' 


75 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


"i 


At  last,  as  o'er  the  ocean  broke  the  day, 

He  started  from  his  couch  in  wild  surprise 
And  shouted,  "Land !"  then  lifeless  sank  and  lay 

With  look  of  rest  and  gladness  in  his  eyes. 
The  people  gathered  from  the  village  round — 

Their  bronzed  faces  wet  with  streaming  tears — 
And  laid  them  where  had  rise.i  many  a  mound 

For  ocean  victims  in  the  passing  years. 


O  kindly  is  the  Sea  when  skies  are  fair, 

And  slumber  all  the  passions  of  the  breast ; 
The  sailor's  bark  in  love  he  seems  to  bear 

To  summer-harbored,  fragrant  isles  of  rest. 
Then  cradled  in  his  softly  swaying  arms 

One  evermore  in  dreamy  bliss  may  lie, 
Where  not  a  breath  e'er  startles  or  alarms 

The  drowsy  cloud  slow  floating  in  the  sky. 
O  cheering  is  the  Sea  when  breezes  fill 

The  swelling  sail  and  fling  the  whirling  spray 

nd  send  through  every  tingling  nerve  a  thrill. 

As  gHdes  the  vessel  swiftly  on  her  way. 
O  cruel  and  inconstant  is  the  Sea : 

When  rage  and  frenzy  swell  his  savage  breast. 
He  tosses  high,  down  dashes  ruthlessly 

What  he  so  late  had  cradled  and  caressed. 
With  Giant  hands  the  creaking  mast  he  bends 

And  smites  with  mighty  blows  the  shrinking  ships, 
Their  bruised  and  battered  sides  he  rudely  rends 

With  savage  howl  and  frenzy-foaming  lips ; 


tiii-Mm- 


^if^-ii^.yjl?''* 


And  Other  Poems 


Or  drives  them  crashing  on  the  craggy  shore 
And  shatters  them  with  oft-repeated  shocks. 

As  with  defiant  shout  and  demon  roar 

He  tramples  out  their  life  among  the  recks. 

Though  oft  they  sought  among  the  towns  around, 

Inquiries  none  about  the  mother  came. 
But  on  the  garment  of  the  child  they  found. 

By  skilful  fingers  broidered  there,  a  name. 
The  name  was  "Baby  Jessie";  and  no  more 

The  little  lips  could  tell ;  nor  ascertained 
They  whence  the  vessel  stranded  on  their  shore ; 

And  so  the  orphan  child  with  them  remained. 
Though  loving  memories  in  her  bosom  slept. 

And  in  her  dreams  a  presence  lingered  long, 
In  time  the  lonely  one  no  longer  wept 

For  mother's  kiss  and  mother's  cradle  song. 
For  Helen  Bain,  whose  heart  dwelt  in  her  face, 

Had  taken  Baby  Jessie  as  her  own. 
And  soon  her  winning  way  and  girlish  grace 

Had  made  her  well  in  every  cottage  known. 
From  her  they  named  her  "Jessie  Bain" ;  but  oft 

When  breezes,  racing  o'er  the  waves  in  glee, 
Had  flushed  her  rounded  cheek  with  tinting  soft, 

The  little  maid  was  "Blossom  of  the  .Sea." 

With  merry  feet  she  tripped  through  Babyland, 
Where  all  is  bright  to  new-awakened  eyes 

That  see  the  beauties  fresh  on  every  hand 
Beneath  the  glow  of  yet  unclouded  skies ; 


77 


'mmmm 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


Where  every  breeze  a  fragrant  burden  brings 
From  laden  blooms  that,  glowing,  never  fade, 

And  every  note  is  flung  from  gleeful  strings 
Where  Sorrow's  languid  hand  was  never  laid. 

In  Childhood  Land  she  ran  with  nimble  feet 

Her  little  busy  round  of  school  and  play — 
A  bee  that  everywhere  was  gathering  sweet 

And  storing  by  against  the  future  day. 
Glad-footed  years  went  swiftly  gliding  by, 

And  silent  wove  the  veils  they  ever  cast 
O'er  all  the  fair  and  lovely  forms  that  lie 

Enshrined  by  memory  in  the  shrouded  past. 
Till,  one  by  one,  a  filmy  mantle  hides 

Or  dims  them  all.    Years  flitted  till  she  stood 
Upon  the  verge  where  Childhood's  pathway  glides 

Unconscious  into  that  of  Womanhood. 
The  Springs  of  coming  womanhood  had  told. 

The  Summers  tinged  her  cheek  with  bloom  of  rose, 
The  Autumns  on  her  tresses  left  their  gold. 

The  Winters  bathed  her  brow  in  purest  snows. 
The  dwellers  in  the  woodland  where  she  strayed 

Were  joyous  when  they  spied  her  drawing  near 
And  freely  yielded  to  the  rambling  maid 

Whatever  treasure  each  regarded  dear ; — 
The  lily  gave  her  form  its  slenderness, 

The  ripple  lent  her  voice  its  music  sweet, 
The  breezes  touched  her  locks  with  fond  caress 

And  whispered  of  their  lightly-treading  feet. 


78 


And  Other  Poems 


These  fisher  peoph;  rugged  features  wore, 

For  generations  bronzed  by  wind  and  spray, 
And  shoulders  bent  and  broadened  by  the  oar 

Their  sturdy  arms  had  wielded  day  by  day. 
With  speeding  years  they  saw  the  maiden  now 

Resemble  more  and  more  that  slender  form 
With  cloud  of  golden  hair  and  angel  brow 

That  saved  her  babe  but  perished  in  the  storm. 
To  them  this  cheek  'mid  apple  blossoms  born, 

This  eye  that  beamed  with  blue  of  heaven's  dome. 
These  streaming  locks  like  early  rays  of  morn, 

This  breast  and  brow  as  white  as  tossing  foam. 
This  loving  heart  where  gifts  and  treasures  rare 

Were  in  profusion  lavish  known  to  lie, — 
To  them  she  seemed  a  creature  of  t'.ie  air — 

A  blossom  born  beneath  no  earthly  sky. 


Companion  in  her  play  was  Willie  Brown. 

Beside  the  boats  together  on  the  shore 
They  chased  the  seaward  wave  swift  fleeting  down 

The  smooth  hard  sand ;  then  shrieked  and  ran  before 
The  wave  that,  turning,  laughed  in  tones  subdued 

And  stole  behind  them  silently  and  fleet. 
Or  clapped  its  hands,  and  oft  so  close  pursued 

Its  fingers  touri    d  their  bare  and  flying  feet. 
They  heaped  up  ;nimic  mounds,  outhollowed  wells. 

Of  chosen  pebbles  little  mansions  made 
For  which  the  busy  sea  brought  shining  shells 

In  blending  tints  of  pink  and  white  arrayed. 


79 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


The  schoolhouse  with  its  little  busy  world 

Lay  nestling  in  a  closely  sheltered  nook. 
Where  elms  at  noon  their  shadow  flags  unfurled 

And  flung  the  fluttering  folds  upon  the  brook 
That,  slumbering,  seemed  in  sleepy  tones  to  mock 

The  stolen  whisper  soft.  ,■  A  droning  din, 
And — pattering  down  soit  ?  riny  shelf  of  rock — 

The  clatter  of  the  buzzi   ,'  world  within. 
There  side  by  side  the  twain  together  went, 

Their  trials  and  their  triumphs  daily  shared; 
With  earnest  brow  in  thoughtful  posture  bent 

They  day  by  day  the  little  tasks  prepared. 

When  older  grown,  the  hunger  of  the  mind 

They  fed  with  few  but  treasured  books,  possessed 
Among  the  village  homes,  and  woke  refined 

And  holy  thouglits  that  slumbered  in  the  breast. 
A  fount  of  pleasure  here  they  found  from  which 

They  daily  draughts  of  rarest  rapture  drew: 
And  as  they  drained  each  goblet,  nectar-rich. 

More  precious  to  the  lip  the  fountain  grew. 

The  lithest  lad  was  he  on  all  the  coast: 

No  arm  more  skilful  bending  oar  to  wield. 
No  bolder  heart  the  little  town  could  boast 

To  gather  harvest  from  the  azure  field. 
O'er  placid  forehead  locks  were  idly  thrown 

Where  ebon  hand  had  penciled  wavy  lines 
And  glossy  curves,  as  when  the  billow  blown 

Through  lighted  gloom  in  dusky  lustre  shines. 

80 


And  Other  Poems 


Dark  eyes  he  had,  where  darting  flashes  oft 

The  fiery  radiance  of  his  soul  revealed  • 
But  oftener  still  they  shone  with  lustre  soft 

Of  twilight  star  in  vapor  half  concealed 
Lips  thin  and  firm  o'er  face  of  manly  mould 

An  air  of  dauntless  resolution  threw  • 
Bijt  yet  a  something  lingered  there  that 'told 

The  loving  heart  r    tender  depths  and  true. 

Two  meadvNN  rills  that  wander  side  by  side 
By  sun  lips  kissed,  by  shadow  han.ls  caressed 

lo^'cther  imperceptibly  will  glide 
And  flow  united  with  unruffled  breast ; 

Two  twinkling  drops  on  petal  of  the  rose- 
May  lie  and  sparkle  in  the  morning  sun 

Rut  at  the  breath  of  lightest  brc^e  that  blows 
Will  touch  and  kiss  and  tremble  into  one 

Thus  day  by  day  their  lives  were  seen  to  glide 
And  thus  at  last  together  seemed  to  run  • 

But  they  so  long  had  wandered  side  by  side' 
That  neither  knew  when  heart  was  lost  or  won 

fhey  never  thought  their  paths  could  separate 

For  all  their  lives  had  they  together  been  ■ 
This  seemed  but  as  the  opening  of  a  gate 
That  led  to  wider  world  and  newer  scene. 

Low  circling  hills  around  the  village  lay 
Where  fell  the  earliest  beams  of  morning  sun 

A  humble  home  had  risen  day  by  day 
By  thrifty  hand  from  spoil  of  ocean  won 


Si 


h 


V 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


It  looked  upon  the  little  bay,  the  bar, 

And,  far  away,  upon  the  tumbling  main. 
Where  she  might  spy  his  coming  bark  afar 

On  eager  wings  to  enter  home  again. 
There  many  an  idle  hour  they  strayed  and  planned 

A  lowly  bower  or  bed  of  roses  bright; 
For  now  approached  the  day  when  hand  and  hand 

And  heart  and  heart  forever  woukl  unite. 


To  save  the  maiden  from  a  needless  pain 

Her  early  sorrow  all  had  been  concealed; 
But  now  had  come  the  hour  when  Helen  Bain 

The  story  of  her  early  life  revealed. 
Astounded  at  the  revelation  strange. 

She  all  with  many  an  eager  question  plied. 
7"he  current  of  her  life  it  seemed  to  change 

And  cast  a  pall  of  darkness  on  its  tide. 
She  wore  an  air  of  thoughtful  quietness, 

In  former  hopes  of  life  no  pleasure  took, 
But  sought  the  woodland  breeze  of  soft  caress 

And  whispered  song  of  shadow-checkered  brook. 
She  often  wandered  on  the  lonely  shore 

And  pictured  all  the  sadness  of  the  scene; 
And  oft  they  found  her  when  the  day  was  o'er 

Yet  sitting  by  the  nameless  mound  of  green, 
Where  fancy  strove  some  image  in  her  mind 

Of  that  devoted  mother's  face  to  frame 
Who  died  to  save  her  child,  yet  left  behind 

Not  e'en  the  cherished  memory  of  her  name. 


82 


And  Other  Poems 


There  many  a  secret  tear  in  silence  fell 
And  there  was  many  a  wildwood  flower'  strewn; 

Nor  did  she  hi.u  forget  who  fought  so  well 
For  that  dtad  mother's  hfe  and  for  her  own. 

One  evening,  as  she  lingered  here  apart 

A  stranger  strolling  through  the  village  came 
Who.  pausmg  by  her  with  a  sudden  start. 

Sh    !  ,  '^"■''  ''°'''^  ''^='""*"S.  begged  her  name 
She  to  <l  h,m,  and  his  wonder  more  inerease.l 

A  Jessie  knew  I,  and  so  like  to  thee 
At  first  I  deemed  thee  her,-if  not,  at  least 

H.  -  child     But,  nay,  for  this  can  never  be: 
The  wife  I  loved,  the  baby  that  was  mine. 

Ihe  sea  has  torn  away  with  cruel  hands 
And  hid  them  deep  in  dismal  depths  of  brine 

Or  tossed  them  lifeless  on  the  nameless  sands." 

He  told  his  tale  in  broken  words  and  low : 

"With  Jessie  Gray,  my  newly  wedded  bride 
I  left  this  land  but  twenty  years  ago, 

To  seek  a  home  beyond  the  ocean  wide 
There  Love  and  Fortune  on  our  dwelling  smiled 

Five  years  had  passed  when  Jessie  longed  to  see 
Her  native  land  again.     She  took  her  child— 

VVhose  name  was  Jessie  too-a  babe  of  three- 
And  sailed.    No  tidings  came  with  passing  years 

Save  that  the  ship  and  all  aboard  were  lost 
Time  has  not  healed  the  wound  nor  dried  my  tears  • 

But  now  the  ocean  I  again  have  crossed 


83 


MICROCOPY   RBOIUTION   TKT  CHART 

(ANSI  and  ISO  TEST  CHART  No.  2) 


^  ^Pi-'l-IED    IIVHGE      In 

^Sr^  1653  East  Main  Street 

^■C  Rochester,    New   York         14609       USA 

'.^S  ("6)  *a2  -  0300  -  Phone 

^S  (^<&)   286  -  59S9  -  Fax 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


And  where  I  hear  of  vessel  cast  away, 

I  thither  go  with  half  a  hope  to  find 
Some  faint  surviving  trace  that  haply  may 

Relieve  the  deathless  sorrow  of  my  mind. 
A  tale  of  wreck,  by  roving  sailor  told, 

Has  brought  me  here  where  kindly  seamen  lay 
The  bruised  forms  the  cruel  waters  hold 

And  toss  in  sport,  then  lifeless  fling  away.'' 
When  Jessie  too  recounted  all,  in  haste 

The  lowly  home  of  Helen  Bain  they  sought. 
Who  told  the  tale  anew,  before  them  placed 

The  robe  with  baby  Jessie's  name  enwrought, 
The  garments,  long  preserved,  that  wrapped  the  child. 

And  spoke  of  slender  form  and  forehead  fair, 
Of  clinging  arms  that  clasped  in  death,  and  wild. 

Disheveled  locks  of  waving  golden  hair. 


He  recognized  the  garments  as  the  same 

His  Jessie  wore, — had  seen  her  hand  entwine 
Upon  the  robe  of  blue  her  baby's  name 

In  braided  letters  linked  with  trailing  vine. 
He  clasped  his  daughter  in  a  close  embrace 

That  told  the  longing  love  of  lonesome  years. 
And  gazed  upon  the  dear  uplifted  face 

With  eyes  that  gladness  lit  through  lurking  tears. 
He  stroked  her  cheek,  her  silken  locks  caressed. 

The  peerless  heaven  of  her  eye  surveyed. 
Her  lip  and  brow  with  lingering  kisses  pressed 

That  all  the  hunger  of  his  heart  betrayed. 


84 


And  Other  Poems 


They  kissed  as  those  whose  lips  have  never  met 
And  know  they  nevermore  may  meet  again 

Whose  hfe  shall  be  one  ceaseless,  long  regre 
Whose  earthly  bliss  one  moment  must  contain. 

Then  in  their  .laily  walks  about  the  town 
He  told  her  of  his  home  in  foreign  land, 

Where  Nature  showered  her  richest  treasure  down 

•■Me"i??"u  ^T  ''"'  ^'^''  ^^'"'  '^'^•i^h  hand. 

Me  also  she  has  favored,  and  bestowed 

Enough  thy  wildest  dream  to  satisfy 
There  shall  we  go  and  bring  to  our  abode 

Whateer  mdulgent  father  can  supply 
Thy  hand  the  dainty  trellised  vine  shall  train 

\S^r^    '''°"'"^    '""■•    ^-™-ts    bright 
Shall  wake  with  sweep  of  fingers  light  the  strain 

That  floats  through  secret  chambers  of  the  soul. 

W.h'w"'        'y  '"""""ring  leaves  betrayed, 

With  blossom  hands  shall  lure  to  cool  retreat- 
And  wmdmg  walk  embowered  in  dreamy  shade 

At  twihght  hour  invite  the  straying  feet. 

"One  chamber  of  our  home  we  shall  enrich 

With  ranks  of  chosen  volumes  new  and  old- 
And  marble  forms  from  many  a  fluted  niche     ' 

I  heir  gathered  treasure  all  shall  still  Behold 
There  fleeting  fancies  floating  through  the  brain. 

Or  ramblmgs  of  the  soul  in  realm  sublime. 
Embalmed  m  words,  their  glory  will  retain 

Survivmg  all  the  ruined  wrecks  of  time 


85 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


There  daily  shall  we  meet  as  frieiul  with  friend, 

The  purest  spirits  earth  has  ever  known, 
And  quiet  hours  in  conversation  spend, 

And  lift  our  minds  to  level  of  their  own. 
We  there  shall  summon  back  the  mighty  dead 

And  hold  communion  with  their  souls,  and  learn 
The  best  and  noblest  that  they  thought  and  said 

Ere  Death  enclosed  them  in  his  hollow  urn. 

"Or,  we  shall  travel  far  to  foreign  climes. 

To  distant  shores  in  fame  and  story  old ; 
The  pillared  structures  reared  in  other  times 

By  busy  hand  of  man  shall  we  behold. 
There  evanescent  dreams  of  beauty  lie 

Forever  by  a  magic  hand  enchained, — 
The  radiant  forms,  the  robes  of  brilliant  dye, 

The  lights  and  shadows  dim  have  all  remained. 
There  lustrous  eyes  from  fringed  lids  let  fall 

Their  melting  glances  full  of  loving  trust, 
And  lips  with  beaming  smile  the  heart  enthrall, 

Though  they  that  smiled  have  long  been  shapeless 
dust. 

"In  deathless  marble  there  have  been  preserved 

Despairing  face,  distorted  in  its  pain, — 
Forms  interlocked,  to  deadly  struggle  ne.ved, — 

The  brow  of  giant  frowning  in  disdain, — 
The  faultless  form,  whose  lines  of  beauty  sweep 

In  graceful  flowing  curves  of  driven  snow. 
With  arms  of  naiad  mould,  and  lips  that  keep 

The  sweetness  yet  of  centuries  ago, 

86 


And  Other  Poems 


And  e'er  shall  keep.    How.'er  may  fleet  the  years 
These  forms  of  beauty  ne'er  «h,ii  u     '"^/^ai^s 

No  break.-„,  hean,  no  h^  L%  ^I  '^'^^- 
Shall  furrow  trench  or  sweep  one^charm  away. 

"There  shall  we  wander  in  a  land  of  vines 

AndTo?"'"f  ""™'^"*^  °f  "'^  marble    L 
And   look.ng  down,  the  pleasant  land  invest 

We  feel  the  warmth  of  loving  presence  near 
And  catch  a  transient  glimpse  o'f  g^Tng  b" "' 

And  .nTH'\      "'  '"''  *'^™"^''  "^^  ^ther  peer 
And  m  the  hush  and  silence  of  the  night 

We  hear  their  bosoms  heaving  soft  and  slow 
The-r  vo,ces  sink  to  murmured  whispers  ligt' 

In  wonder  at  the  charms  of  all  below.   ^ 
And  hands  caressmg  seem  to  touch  us  oft 

AntJif  H  ""  'I"  °'  ""^^'"^  ^PP'-^  bloom; 

mat  hll  the  soul  with  sense  o'  ^are  oerfnr^^ 
The  hu^h  of  hallowed  silence  c      ^^X'""^' 

i»o  full  of  forms  supernal  flittn.g  by 
The  heart,  ecstatic  in  its  rapture,  deems 

That  heaven  s  halls  to  earth  have  floated  nigh." 


87 


<.}« 


\k 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


"Ami  what  of  Willie  Brown?"    "Ah,  Jessie,  fling 

All  thought  of  him  aside.    When  thou  shalt  see 
The  wider  world  this  newer  life  shall  bring 

This  fisher  lad  will  little  seem  to  thee. 
For  both  'tis  betier  far  at  once  to  part. 

The  keenest  stroke  of  sorrow's  stinging  rod 
Is  when  a  wife,  refined  in  mind  and  heart. 

Is  linked  and  fettered  to  a  senseless  clod 
That  finds  no  beauty  in  a  graceful  thought, 

For  no  communion  with  the  great  aspires. 
Perceives  in  poet's  melting  music  naught 

To  soothe  the  soul  or  feed  its  fainting  fires; 
Whose  eyes,  forever  bent  upon  the  ground, 

See  not  the  blooms  he  crushes  'neath  his  feet, 
Nor  glories  of  the  landscape  spread  around. 

Nor  dome  above  with  jeweled  lights  replete; 
Whose  breast  unmoved  and  passionless  remains 

When  hill  and  grove  with  minstrel  music  ring; 
Whose  ear  is  dull  to  all  the  magic  strains 

That  lip  can  blow  or  finger  sveep  from  string. 
The  lonely  are  not  they  that  walk  alone. 

But  who  with  others  must  the  journey  take 
And  find  no  heart  accordant  to  their  own 

Responsive  music  soul  to  soul  to  make. 
Thou  hast  thy  gentle  mother's  gifted  mind, 

Her  slender,  graceful  form,  too  frdl  and  slight 
F      life  of  toil  with  one  who,  roughly  kind, 

The  tender  blossoms  of  thy  soul  may  blight. 
Does  Winter  shelter  with  his  garme!..s  cold 

The  rose  when  shrinking,  trembling  in  its  fear? 


88 


And  Other  Poems 


Though  clad  in  armor,  does  the  thistle  bold 
Protect  the  tender  lily  blooming  near' 

V»^^'-  '""^  "^'"^^  '"  the  summer  airs 
W.ll  die  at  touch  of  Winter's  icy  breath; 
The  pointed  spears  the  sturdy  thistle  bears 
I  he  lily  s  bosom  soon  will  wound  to  death. 

"These  people  for  their  kindness  merit  more 

Ihan  hand  of  even  lavish  gift  repays- 
And  who  for  thee  a  mother's  burden' bore 

bhall  nothing  lack  in  her  declining  day.. 
Yet  here  we  must  no  longer  now  remain 

i-ut  go  afar  in  other  land  to  dwell 
A  sudden  wound  produces  least  of  pain  • 

So  bid  at  once  this  fisher  lad  farewell." 

The  maid  had  cherished  yearnings  undefined 

For  something  more  than  village  life  had  brought  • 
Her  books  a  love  had  wakened  in  her  min.l 

For  beauty,  music,  and  the  world  of  thought- 
Unchanted  anthems  haunted  long  her  soul  - 

Unspoken  legends  lingered  in  her  ear  ■ 
About  her  fleeting  forms  of  beauty  stole 

By  eye  unseen,  to  inward  vision  clear' 
Her  heart  had  hungered.     Fancy  ha<!  portrayed 

A  fairyland  its  craving  to  supply : 
The  father  thus  could  easily  persuade. 

The  daughter's  heart  unwillingly  deny. 

She  found  the  lad  beside  the  little  cot 
Constructed  by  his  hands  with  rustic  skill— 

Love-prompted,  busy  hands  that  faltered  not 
iiut  strove  to  add  some  new  attraction  still 


89 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


Dim-shadowed  dells  and  glades  he  wandered  through, 

And  wild-bom  beings  from  their  dwelling  brought. 
The  sweet-lipped  violet  in  hood  of  blue. 

And  ferns  in  broidered  garments,  fairy-wrought. 
Above  the  porch  he  trained  the  vine  she  loved, 

Whose  purple  bells,  at  morning's  earliest  ray, 
Are  softly  swung  by  taper  fingers  gloved 

In  green,  to  warn  the  birds  of  coming  day. 


With  face  averted  she  her  message  told, 

And  talked  against  the  pleadings  of  her  heart. 
As  Memorj-  swift  their  happy  past  unrolled 

She  felt  the  pang  forevermore  to  part. 
The  pink-lipped  orchard  blooms,  in  garments  white. 

Dispense  their  sweets  for  evening  passer-by, 
But  Death  may  come  on  pinions  of  the  night, 

And  faded,  scentless  all  may  shriveled  lie. 
To  him  that  rustic  home  had  fairer  been 

Than  lofty  hall  adorned  with  sculptured  bust; 
But  now  her  words  had  blighted  all  the  scene, 

Its  rooms  were  darkened  and  its  flowers  dust. 
To  this  he  mutely  pointed,  and  amazed 

And  silent  stood;  but  pallid  lips  compressed 
And  eyes  to  her  in  speechless  sorrow  raised, 

Betrayed  the  stifled  anguish  of  his  breast. 
The  maiden's  inward  feelings  were  at  stiife, 

Her  conscience  smote  her  as  she  turning  said, 
"Some  other  maid  will  make  thee  better  wife," 

Then  faltered  cut  a  swift  farewell  and  fled. 


90 


And  Other  Poems 


No  word  his  lip  coiild  utter  to  restrain 

Her  fleeing  feet.    He  knew  that  sudden  night 
Had  fallen  on  the  morning  fields,  nor  would  again 

A  gleam  the  darkness  of  the  shadow  light. 
He  left  the  scene  of  dreamed-of  happiness. 

With  hurried  footsteps  to  the  harbor  passed, 
Unmoored  his  shallop— in  his  deep  distress 

Unmindful  of  the  threatening  rising  blast. 
Or  warnings  of  the  hoary  fishermen; 

For  he  would  not  to  other  eyes  unbare 
His  bosom,  tortured  with  its  anguish,  when 
He  fought  the  gloomy  demons  of  despair. 
The  tumbling  of  the  bouming,  boiling  waves 

Accorded  with  the  tumuh  of  his  soul; 
In  wildly  plunging  through  their  yawning  graves 

A  maddened  joy  through  all  his  being  stole. 
And  when,  with  heaving,  rocking  billows  crowned. 

Came  moving  mountain  masses  gloomed  with  night. 
He  rose  criumphant  o'er  their  crests,  and  found 

In  tossing  on  their  swells  a  fierce  delight. 
Contending  with  the  tempest,  thus  alone 

He  fought  and  won  his  battle  with  despair ; 
He  steeled  his  heart,  resolved  without  a  moan 

The  lifelong  aching  cilently  to  bear. 
But  ere  his  breast  a  haven  calm  had  found, 

''he  dusky  hands  of  night  were  spreading  fast 
Their  blackest  palls  of  thickest  gloom  around 
His  bark,  that  bowed  and  bent  before  the  blast. 


H'1 


/I 


9/ 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


Then  through  tlie  village  soon  the  rimior  ran 

That  Willie  lirown  was  lost  in  storm  and  night. 
Then  booming  bell  its  far  halloo  began, 

And  beacon  blazed  upon  the  towered  height. 
And  watchers  waited  on  the  wiml-swept  shore 

And  peered  into  the  gloom  with  straining  eye, 
Or  bent  attentive  where  amid  the  roar 

The  ear  might  faintly  catch  distressful  cry. 
Though  oft  deceived  by  mounting  wave  whose  crest 

In  beacon-glare  had  flashed  like  canvas  wliite, 
Or  wail  of  wind  hke  shriek  of  soul  ilistresseil. 

The  morning  dawned  without  a  sail  in  sight. 
Grim  Ocean's  fit  of  madness  now  had  passed, 

And  he  with  muttered  moan  and  sigh  suppressed 
In  troubled  sleep  e.xhausted  lay  at  last, 

With  fallen  flecks  of  frenzy  on  his  breast. 
The  watchers  one  by  one  had  homeward  gone ; 

But  on  the  beach  with  tresses  backward  blown, 
With  tearless  eyes  and  features  pale  and  wan, 

And  heaving  bosom,  Jessie  stood  alone. 

As  watchman  of  the  coast  and  sullen  guard. 

From  granite  rock  had  Nature  hewn  and  cleft 
A  rudely  shapen  giant,  grim  and  scarred. 

And  at  its  base  the  chiseled  fragments  left. 
Along  the  rocky  shore  the  sifted  sands 

The  waves  had  borne  and  smootheil  with  constant 
tread, 
Where  idly  fallen  from  their  careless  hands 

Were  fluted  shell  and  play-worn  pebble  spread. 


Q2 


And  Other  Poems 


Here  stoo-1  she  in  the  morning  cold  and  grey. 

While  busy,  bustling  waters,  racing  fleet, 
Ran  here  and  there  for  treasure-trove,  where  lay 

The  fragments  fallen  at  the  giant's  feet. 

"Relentless,  all-devouring  sea, 
O  give  my  loved  one  back  to  me. 
Endured  I  not  when  yet  a  child, 
As  victim  of  thy  frenzy  wild. 
The  tempest  of  thy  chilling  breath. 

The  buffets  of  thy  cruel  hand, 
That  laid  my  mother  cold  in  death, 

.\nd  cast  me  lone  on  rugged  strar.d, 
A  helpless  babe,  of  all  bereft. 
To  care  of  pitying  stranger  left? 
Relentless,  all-devouring  sea, 
O  give  this  loved  one  back  to  me. 

"Yet,  oh,  this  once,  thy  prey  restore. 

And  I  shall  chide  thee  nevermore: 

Thy  chillest  breath  shall  breathe  of  balm, 

Thy  wildest  rage  be  rippled  calm, 

The  blackest  night  that  glooms  thy  brow 

Shall  morning  be  with  gold  agleam, 
Thy  frenzied  roar  that  frights  me  now 

Shall  sweetest  warbled  music  seem. 
Thy  wave  of  heaven-sweeping  crest 
Shall  sway  as  soft  as  mother's  breast. 
Then,  oh,  this  once,  thy  prey  restore. 
And  I  shall  chide  thee  nevermore. 


93 


A  B/ossom  of  the  Sea 


"O  ({ivc  him  back  that  I  may  tell, 
Tliough  seeming  false,  I  loved  him  well; 
Though  one  brief  hour  my  soul  forgot, 
These  lifelong  links  are  sundered  not; 
Hut  once,  but  once  my  tickle  heart 

Hath  faltered,  but  it  shall  no  more. 
Must  here  our  paths  forever  part, 
And  is  the  happy  journey's  o'er? 
Then  I  shall  walk,  my  eyelids  wet 
With  dimming  tears  of  vain  regret. 
()  bring  him  back,  that  I  may  tell. 
Though  seeming  false,  I  loved   lim  well. 


"Relentless,  all-devouring  sea, 
O  bring  my  loved  one  back  to  me. 
That  I  may  feel  his  warm  embrace 
And  read  forgiveness  in  his  face. 
If  not  in  life,  oh,  yet  in  death. 

That  I  his  pallid  lips  may  press 
Till  mine  shall  give  them  living  breath 

To  pardon  all  my  faithlessness, — 
Till  in  his  dull,  cold  ear  I  tell. 
Though  seeming  false.  I  loved  him  well. 
Thou  cruel,  all-devouring  sea. 
O  bring  my  loved  one  back  to  me." 

As  thus  she  spoke,  around  the  headland  came 
A  stalwart  form  in  seaman's  habit  dressed : 

A  pause,  a  startled  cry,  a  whispered  name, — 
The  maiden  sank  unconscious  on  his  breast. 


94 


And  Other  Poems 


By  baffling  blasts,  on  boundinj;  billows  borne. 

The  lad  at  last  to  nearest  jjort  was  blown. 
And  folding  there  the  shallop's  pinions,  torn. 

Had  homeward  trod  the  trampled  beach  alone. 
With  steel-nerved  breast  and  dauntless  hearing  proud. 

He  strode  beside  the  overpeering  rocks, 
Resolved  to  meet,  as  they,  with  head  unbowed 

The  wildest  tempest  and  the  fiercest  shocks. 
A  ghmpse  of  lissome  form  and  streaming  hair; 

Then,  pausing  by  the  giant's  feet,  he  heard 
The  tearless  maidens  self-accusing  prayer, 

And  hope  revived  his  tleepest  being  stirred. 
A  sudden  light  had  broken  through  the  cloud 

That  seemed  to  blacken  all  his  way  with  night ; 
The  morning  meadows  broke  in  singing  loud 

That  put  the  sombre  silences  to  flight. 

No  needless  words  were  said.    In  close  embrace 
The  raptured  lovers  stood  upon  the  shore. 

The  glow  of  morning  lit  each  gladdened  face. 
And  fears  of  final  parting  were  no  more. 

Her  father,  learning  of  her  absence,  fled 

With  hasty  footsteps  here  and  saw  the  twain. 
And  in  her  face  the  open  secret  read : 

The  lately  found  to  him  was  lost  again. 
"From  Willie,  father,  I  can  never  part: 

We  two  have  been  together  all  our  lives. 
Such  tendrils  Time  has  thrown  about  my  heart, 

To  break  their  clasp  my  bosom  vainly  strives. 


;l 


95 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


The  terrors  of  the  night  have  taught  ine  this : 
My  fairy  dream  of  happiness  is  done; 

For  let  the  future  bring  me  bane  or  bHss, 
Where'er  the  path  may  lead,  our  ways  are  one. 

The  bird  that  all  its  little  life  hath  spent 

'Mid  simple  blooms  and  swinging  leafy  sprays 
Would  pine  if  in  a  palace  garden  pent 

Where  gaudy  plant  a  richer  robe  displays. 
Go,  leave  me  in  this  lowly  humble  scene ; 

For  daily  life  has  in  this  soul  of  mine 
So  .inked  and  woven  this  that  I  had  been 

Unhappy  in  that  grander  home  of  thine. 
Remote  from  bustling  strife  and  pompous  pride 

We  two  shall  walk  our  little  way  alone. 
Shall  live  and  love,  then,  lying  side  by  side. 

Sleep  our  long  sleep  untroubled  and  unknown. 
Forget  these  hours,  and  let  me  be  again 

A  lingering  shadow  left  from  other  years ; 
But  thou  to  me  forever  wilt  remain 

A  blissful  memory  dashed  with  dimming  tears." 

By  clambering  vines  now  thickly  overgrown 

The  cottage  nestles  on  the  circling  hill; 
Beside  the  bower  the  rose  has  yearly  blown. 

And  fern  and  violet  find  a  shelter  still. 
For  Jessie  still  the  purple  bells  of  dawn 

Are  at  the  porch  by  Willie's  hand  arrayed, 
And  now  their  children  play  upon  the  lawn 

And  drink  the  fragrance  of  the  cooling  shade. 


06 


And  Other  Poems 


But  near,  where  oaks  unfurl  their  banners  old 

And  dying  Day,  from  trembhng,  glowing  hands, 
At  last  flings  down  his  miser  hoards  of  gold, 

A  grander,  not  a  dearer,  mansion  stands.' 
'Tis  there  that  Jessie  and  her  Willie  dwell : 

But  winding  hedge  and  beaten  footpatli  show 
fhey  oft  frequent  the  little  cot  and  tell 

Of  scenes  and  loves  of  years  of  long  ago. 

One  dwells  with  them  who  wears  a  kindly  face 

Whose  ample  locks  are  richly  touche.i  with  white- 
But  where  the  day.  of  sadness  left  their  trace 

Have  years  of  gladness  cast  a  won.lrous  light. 
1  hough  blackest  storms  career  across  the  sky 

And  all  the  cheerful  beams  of  heaven  hide, 
Yet  oft  the  cloudy  steeds  of  darkness  fly 

And  bright  is  all  the  West  at  eventide. ' 

Her  father  had  consented  to  remain— 

By  Willie's  earnest,  manly  bearing  moved 
But  more  by  Jessie's  words.    Three  years  the  twain 

lo  college  halls  he  sent  and  further  proved 
Then  fitting  out  a  vessel  for  the  land 

Beyond  the  main,  he  put  the  lad  aboard 
Sea-nurtured  from  his  youth,  to  high  command 

He  rose.    And  now  his  vessels  richly  stored 
Wuh  foreign  goods  return.     The  fishing  port 

Has  widened  to  a  town,  whose  hardv  sons 
Upon  his  decks  the  ocean  breezes  court. 

And  homeward  bring  for  wife  and  little  ones 


97 


^    : 

i 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


L 


Across  the  rocking  billows  of  the  deep, 

Their  gathered  spoils.    Now  larger  homes  appear. 
Where  often  Beauty  and  Refinement  keep 

An  even  pace  with  Plenty  all  the  ^ear. 
Than  Helen  Bain's  no  fairer  home  is  there. 

Her  lightest  needs  are  lavishly  supplied. 
Though  snows  have  fallen  on  the  wavy  hair. 

The  looks  of  kindly  goodness  yet  abide 
Enwritten  on  her  face,  with  somethmg  too 

Like  growing  rays  of  Heaven's  dawn,  that  stream 
Already  o'er  the  hills  of  Death,  and  through 

The  mists  of  earth  upon  her  forehead  beam. 

By  all  are  Jessie  and  her  Willie  known : 

For  light  and  beauty  have  they  spread  around, 
Encouraged,  lifted,  helping  arms  have  thrown 

About  the  erring  weak,  till  all  have  found 
The  ways  of  Knowledge  lead  to  higher  heights 

Of  happiness,  that  broaden  to  the  view. 
And  onward  lead  to  more  supreme  delights 

Than  ever  soul  of  groveling  mortal  knew. 
For  onward,  upward  points  the  hand  of  Fate, 

And  onward,  upward  moves  the  human  race ; 
Though  toilful  be  the  path  and  slow  the  rate, 

The  host  advances  to  a  higher  place. 
Though  many  stragglers  loiter  in  the  rear, 

And  blindly  flounder  in  the  deep  morass. 
And  few  be  they  who  yet  the  summit  near, 

Yet  onward,  upward  moves  the  struggling  mass. 
The  blood  of  all  the  centuries  and  the  tears 

That  stain  the  pathway  have  not  been  in  vain; 
Trace  all  its  windings  th'ough  the  weary  years. 

And  mighty  strides  of  progress  then  are  plain. 

98 


And  Other  Poems 


As  Knowledge  slow  unfolds  the  growing  mind 

The  soul  awakes  and  breaks  in  gladder  song ; 
And  eyes  are  lifted  to  the     -ht,  inclined 

To  circle  blindly  round  th    feet  so  long. 
And  beckoned  on  by  Jessie's  guiding  hand, 

These  villagers  have  lifted  too  their  eyes 
And,  seeing  lights  on  higher  slopes  of  land, 

Forsaken  lower  moors  and  murky  skies; 
And  rising  from  the  misty  fog  and  gloom 

That  clouded  and  obscured  the  vision  there. 
They  walk  serener  plains  of  wider  room. 

And  drink  the  rapture  of  a  purer  air. 
The  world  is  brighter  than  they  ever  dreamed. 

Although  in  toil  the  fleeting  days  are  spent. 
Each  golden  hour  by  useful  task  redeemed. 

The  soul  is  not  as  in  a  prison  pent ; 
For  on  the  scene  will  often  Music  steal 

And  flood  the  air  with  melting  strain  divine, 
And  Art  the  charm  of  blending  tints  reveal 

When  framed  in  curves  of  beauty's  flowing  line. 
And  Thought,  with  subtle  treasures  of  the  mind 

Upon  undying  pages  old  impressed 
In  glowing  words,  a  quiet  hour  will  find 

To  wake  the  slumbering  genius  of  the  breast. 

Remembering  all  the  darkness  of  the  past. 
The  light  and  gladness  of  the  world  to  be. 

They  still  believe  some  angel  hand  has  cast 
Upon  their  shore  this  Blossom  of  the  Sea. 
August,  1897. 


QQ 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


\i, 


I 


A  PIONEER  FARMER 

WHERE  clothed  in  verdure  yonder  fields  are  seen 
In  swelling  curves  of  hill  and  hollow  rolled 
The  squadroned  maples  stood  in  tunics  jreen 

And  baldrics  bright  with  gleams  of  autumn  gold. 
There,  stationed  'raid  the  host,  the  stalwart  pine 

Above  their  purple  plumes  aloft  had  flung 
His  banner  broad,  whose  folds  in  graceful  line 
Low  drooping  swayed  or  slow  unfurling  swung. 

In  autumn  dim,  alone  and  undismayed, 

A  gallant  youth  that  bannered  army  neared ; 
He  smote  their  proudest  low  with  flashing  blade 

And  fortress  rude  among  the  fallen  reared. 
And  here  he  brought  his  bride  of  tender  years, 

Sweet-lipped  and  slender  as  a  bending  bloom, 
Whose  eyes,  emerged  from  some  dim  sea  of  tears. 

Would  still  in  star-like  flashes  light  and  loom. 
Her  brow      rae  angel  I'.and  had  smoothed  and  pressed 

Till  more  than  earthly  calmness  there  reposed, 
Her  misty  cloud  of  tresses  had  caressed 

Till  tints  of  glory  every  wave  disclosed. 

The  walls  were  built  of  rugged  beams  and  round. 
Rough-notched  at  end  and  interspaced  with  clay. 

High-gable<l  roof  the  humble  structure  crowned. 
Through  which  a  chimney  struggling  made  its  way. 


too 


And  Other  Poems 


An  ample  hearth  within  where  high  were  heaped 

The  oaken  logs  on  frosty  winter  night, 
And  fiames  triumphant  loud  in  laughter  leaped 

And  clapped  their  rudtly  hands  in  sheer  delight. 
The  shadows,  beckoned  from  their  dim  abode. 

Along  the  wall  a  merry  measure  paced ; 
While  shining  pinions  'mid  the  .  ifters  glowed, 

And  giant  glooms  their  flitting  flashes  chased. 

A  sudden  flare  lit  all  the  simple  room : 

The  floor  of  riven  pine;  the  mantel-shelf 
Agleam  with  shining  ware ;  the  clacking  loom 

That  claimed  an  ample  corner  for  itself ; 
The  chimney  seat,  a  couch  for  stranger  guest; 

The  easy  chair  with  woven  splint  inwrought; 
The  table,  whiter  than  if  linen-drest. 

Where  merry  cups  each  glint  and  twinkle  caught ; 
The  curtained  bed  of  down,  heaped  mountain-high 

And  crowned  with  fluffy  pillows  light  as  air, 
Where  smooth-laid  counterpane  allured  the  eye 
With  many  a  gay,  grotesquely  patterned  square. 

Their  home  was  small,  the  forest  dim  and  lone; 

About  their  hearth  yet  children  playing  came ' 
And  crooned  their  little  sone,s  in  cheery  tone. 

And  flung  a  light  from  flashing  locks  of  flame. 
All  day  she  nimbly  sped  the  moaning  wheel 

That  sighed  and  wailed  its  plaintive,  weird  refrain. 
Or  filled  the  pauses  with  the  clicking  reel 

That  from  the  spindle  whirled  the  growing  skein. 


i!i 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


li 


While  flared  on  evening  hearth  the  flaming  wood, 
The  needles  twinkled  in  her  fingers  fleet 

That  wove  for  rounded  cheek  the  cosy  hood 
Or  shaped  the  stocking  for  the  dimpled  feet. 


There  too  for  him  life  ran  its  busy  round: 

At  glow  of  morn  his  ringing  axe  awoke 
The  silent  shades  and  dusky  depths  profound 

Of  sombre-mantled  pine  and  burly  oak. 
While  hostile  tempest  loud  the  trumpet  blew 

They  stood  undaunted  at  the  charger's  blast, 
On  high  their  arms  in  wild  defiance  throw 

And  dealt  their  blows  in  fury  as  he  passed. 
But  now,  their  tresses  trembhng  at  each  blow, 

By  comrades'  clinging  hands  in  vain  delayed, 
With  sigh  of  last  farewell  and  groaning  throe 

Of  dying  agony  before  his  glancing  blade 
They  reel,  the  lofty  head  is  lowly  bowed 

With  all  its  tossing  plumes,  the  arms  outthrust 
Crash  prone  to  earth,  and  all  the  tresses  proud 

Are  torn  and  rent  and  darkened  in  the  dust. 
His  hands  had  thus  by  never-flagging  zeal 

The  sunny  fields  from  forest  dense  and  tall 
Out-hollowed  with  consuming  flame  and  steel; 

The  fallen  trunks  had  shaped  for  sheltering  wall 
To  shield  his  harvest  from  the  winter  gale. 

Or  yonder  fence  that  mossy  vesture  wears. 
That  tacks  and  veers  like  wind-confronted  sail, 

And  all  the  f^rm  divides  in  verdant  squares. 


'"^^'TgffwgsaaB:.' 


And  Other  Poems 


By  years  of  toil  incessant  from  his  land 

Obstructing  rock  and  root  were  slowly  cleared 
As  fortune  blessed  the  labor  of  his  hand 

Increasing  signs  of  comfort  there  appeared: 
Yon  roomy  mansion  where  the  morning  still 
With  golden  finger  gilds  the  eastern  pane; 
Capacious  barns  where  vying  autumns  fill 

And  heap  the  garner  high  with  shining  grain, 
ihe  orchard  trees  on  yonder  southern  slope 

Erect  m  neatly  ordered  rows  he  placed 
And  pruned  and  shaped  their  spreading  boughs,  in  hope 

Their  fruitage  m  the  after-years  to  taste. 
Ihere  Spring  unfolds  the  bridal  robes  of  Dawn 

Of  vialed  odors  brings  her  treasured  stores 
And  o'er  the  cloud  of  blushful  tinted  lawn       ' 

The  fragrant  balm  with  hand  unsparing  pours. 
Ihere  Autumn  hangs  his  rounded  cups  of  gold 
That  such  abundant  nectar  draughts  contain 
The  brimming  cup,  unable  all  to  hold. 
Is  often  dyed  and  streaked  with  ruddy  stain. 

He  rose  betimes  with  cheery  heart  and  brave 

To  cleave  the  furrows  of  his  fruitful  land; 

He  sowed,  and  what  the  God  of  harvest  gave 

H^*  gath*''**'  *°  •''^  ^^'■"s  w''h  thankful  hand. 
When  sultry  sun  or  chill  untimely  frost 

Would  on  his  fields  their  blighting  finger  lay, 

He  ploughed  again  in  hope,  nor  courage  lost 

xirf"'",-?'^'''^  *°"'''  t"^^  <=°'"'"&  year  repay. 
Who  life  preserves  within  the  tiny  germ 
Enfolded  closely  in  the  wheaten  breast. 


I  :' 
Si 


103 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


Who  feeds  with  fallen  leaf  the  hidden  worm, 
Who  builds  for  timid  bird  the  sheltered  nest, 

Who  for  the  kine  a  winter  garment  weaves. 
Nor  crimson  vest  the  robin  does  deny. 

With  careful  eye  the  sparrow's  fall  perceives. 
Would  give  to  trusting  man  a  sure  supply. 


1 


To  him  in  vain  the  helpless  never  went 

Nor  poured  their  troubles  into  deafened  ear. 
The  stricken  home  he  meet  assistance  lent 

And  gave  to  passing  stranger  of  his  cheer. 
The  man  of  God,  who  threading  forest  gloom 

On  jaded  steed  too  seldom  thither  fared, 
Found,  like  the  prophet  old,  his  little  room 

And  restful  couch  by  loving  hand  prepared. 
By  winding  ways  the  neighbors  thither  went 

Through  leafy  dusks  by  starry  twilight  led, 
And  lifted  heart  in  song,  or  reverent  bent 

As  earnest  lips  the  Master's  message  read. 


He  dwelt  among  his  dusky  herds  of  kine 

And  snowy  flocks  like  ancient  patriarch; 
He  called  them  all  by  name,  and  warm  would  shine 

Responsive,  dreamy  eyes  of  lustre  dark. 
Their  master  was  he,  kind  and  provident : 

For  winter  needs  he  hoarded  ample  store ; 
With  tender  bosom  o'e    the  suffering  bent 

And  in  his  arms  their  feeble  kindred  bore. 
His  form  while  yet  afar  the  horses  knew. 

And  neighi  g  o'er  the  meadow  trooping  came, 


104 


And  Other  Poems 


With  fondling  touch  around  him  pleading  drew 
The  dainty  morsel  from  his  hand  to  claim. 

Reflecting,  toiling  daily  in  his  field, 

He  learned  the  open  book  of  life  to  read : 
What  at  the  harvest  hour  the  heart  shall  yield 

We  each  determine  as  we  sow  the  seed ; 
Who  cleaves  the  turf  with  steady  hand  and  strong, 

Uproots  the  weed  and  plants  the  chosen  grain, 
Although  the  days  of  watchful  toil  be  long 

At  last  his  meed  of  ripened  ears  shall  gain ; 
Who  merely  leaves  the  garden  of  the  mind 

An  idle  field  unfurrowed  and  unsown. 
Awaiting  more  auspicious  hour,  shall  find 

The  vacant  soil  with  tangle  overgrown; 
Who  all  the  year  has  planted  weeds  and  tares 

May  not  with  right  complain  or  justly  blame 
If,  when  his  sheaf  he  to  the  gamer  bears, 

The  Lord  of  Harvest  cast  it  to  the  flame : 
For  who  would  store  among  the  precious  grain 

That  he  had  stooped  to  gather  from  the  dust. 
Had  sifted,  fanned,  and  winnowed  pure  again, 

The  weed,  the  bur,  the  mildewed  ear  and  rust  ? 

To  him  all  Nature  lessons  could  unfold : 
The  fairy  plant  upspringing  from  the  sod 

Has  root  to  cling  and  grapple  to  the  mould, 
Has  bloom  to  rise  and  lift  its  face  to  God; 

The  meanest  life  that  grovels  on  the  ground 
Is  ever  blindly  striving  for  the  light; 


'05 


A  Blossom  of  I  he  Sea 


The  vine  that  hath  its  lattice  limit  found 

An  arm  will  lift  to  .-each  a  newer  height ; 
The  pine  that  deepest  in  the  earth  descends 

And,  ever  busy,  gathers  far  and  nigh, 
This  gathf  L'd  earthly  treasure  all  expends 

In  climbing  upward  nearer  to  the  sky ; 
The  lower  must  subserve  the  higher  end ; 

The  purer  beams  are  ever  on  fhe  height. 
For  growth  an<!  bloom  all  upward  strain  and  bend, 

And  souls  can  blossom  only  in  the  light ; 
For  light  alone  the  waxen  cup  can  mould, 

Can  trace  the  netted  vein  or  flowing  line, 
Can  flame  in  scarlet,  gild  with  burnished  gold, 

Can  faintly  tinge  or  steep  the  lips  in  wine. 


And  life  is  not  for  endless  toil  alone. 

To  wrap  the  body  warmly  and  to  feed ; 
The  heart  has  also  yearnings  of  its  own. 

Its  craving  hunger  and  its  crying  need. 
The  hand  that  spread  the  banner  of  the  sky 

And  decked  with  golden  stars  its  tender  blue. 
That  touched  the  petal's  lips  with  ruby  dye. 

Hath  given  man  a  love  of  beauty  too. 
Who  shaped  the  slender  streamer  of  the  sedge. 

Who  wrapped  the  apple  in  its  ruddy  rind, 
Who  veined  the  leaf  and  wove  its  broidered  edge, 

Hath  use  and  beauty  ever  close  combined. 

Thorn,  fibre,  leaf,  and  clinging  spiral  scroll 
Have  each  a  purpose  in  the  Maker's  plan, 

And  every  passion  of  the  human  soul 
Contributes  to  development  of  man. 

io6 


And  Other  Poems 


Our  loves,  our  hates,  our  angers,  and  our  fears. 
Our  hopes,  despairs,  unquenchable  desires,— 

All  these,  transmuted  by  the  moulding  years. 
For  perfect  growth  the  soul  of  man  requires. 

The  springing  shoot,  the  bud,  the  fluttering  spray, 

The  faded  stem,  the  withered  leaf  and  dry. 
Show  life  a  steady  progress  to  <lecay. 

And  all  of  earth  or  soon  or  late  must  die. 
When  death  stole  nigh  his  bride  of  memory  sweet 

And  touched  her  tender  eyes  to  endless  sleep, 
He  murmured  low  in  resignation  meet, 

"We  sow  in  tears,  we  soon  in  joy  shall  reap ; 
For  He  that  stoops  to  lift  the  slender  blade 

To  light  and  air  through  clods  of  darksome  earth 
Can  cleave  the  sod  where  man  is  lowly  laid 

And  give  in  nightless  world  a  second  birth." 

His  hands  are  still,  his  given  task  is  done ; 

That  he  might  rise  no  one  has  fallen  low ; 
His  gain  is  not  from  store  of  others  won ; 

His  triumph  plunged  no  other  heart  in  woe ; 
For  him  no  field  is  red  with  human  gore, 

No  smothered  wretches  clog  the  darksome  mine. 
Nor  faint  by  furnace  gorged  with  molten  ore. 

Nor  stifled  sink  in  gidfs  of  roaring  brine. 
By  blood  and  tears  his  wealth  is  undefiled ; 

For  what  he  gained  he  gained  by  honest  toil. 
The  lands  he  won  he  won  from  Nature's  wild, 

And  fair  and  fruitful  made  the  barren  soil. 


\V\ 


107 


A 


I 

I' 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


\i 


He  spent  hit  golden  moments  not  in  vain ; 

He  joyed,  he  sorrowed  as  we  mortals  must; 
He  ran,  he  stumbled,  rose  and  ran  again, 

But  never  lay  and  groveled  in  the  dust. 
On  yonder  slope  that  overlooks  the  scene 

Of  all  his  toil  he  takes  his  lasting  sleep. 
In  vain  shall  Morning  toi    '-  his  couch  of  green 

To  call  him  as  of  yore  from  slumber  deep. 


God's  first  behest,  to  till  and  dress  the  land, 

He  has  obeyed.    His  works  with  us  remain. 
Though  lifeless  on  th»  bosom  lies  the  hand, 

It  has  increased  the  sum  of  human  gain. 
He  found  a  forest  tangled  lone  and  dim, 

Of  savi.ge  brute  the  home  since  Time  began ; 
He  left  these  sunny  meadows  neat  and  trim, 

Prepared  and  ready  for  the  home  of  man: 
The  earth  more  like  a  Garden  of  the  Skies, 

More  fitting  for  the  growth  of  mind  and  soul, 
A  higher  pl.ine  whence  man  may  higher  rise, 

With  nearer  steps  approach  the  final  goal, — 
That  goal  to  which  we  slowly  tend,  the  dream 

Of  heathen  bard  and  sacred  prophet  old, — 
When  earth  again  a  par^idise  may  seem 

And  man  his  God  may  unabashed  behold. 
For  all  that,  mounting,  smooth  the  steeps  of  Time 

Are  hewing  pathways  for  the  host  unborn 
That,  coming  after,  to  the  height  shall  climb 

And  walk  serene  the  Tablelands  of  Mom. 

io8 


And  Other  Poems 


'i.f 


HOW  LONG? 


HOW  long,  all-seeing  Lord,  how  long 
Ere  yet  thy  reign  of  peace  shall  con-e, 
When  man  shall  strive  no  more  with  Wrong, 
And  frenzied  lips  of  War  be  dumb? 

Though  reeking  blood  and  orphan  tears 
Have  ever  yet  been  Freedom's  price, 

In  all  the  onward  march  of  years 
Must  these  be  still  the  sacrifice  ? 


.'f 


Must  each  serener  height  be  gained 
By  flashing  sword  and  flaming  gun  ? 

By  bosom-thrust  and  garment  stained 
Must  every  forward  step  be  won? 

Shall  evil  men  our  way  oppose 
Till  silenced  in  the  grasp  of  Death? 

Will  naught  avail  but  trenchant  blows 
And  blighting  blast  of  cannon's  breath  ? 

Or,  may  it  be  th^  will  divine 

To  leave  unchecked  this  crimson  flood  ? 
Must  Freedom's  sacrifice,  as  thine. 

Be  made  in  vesture  dipped  in  blood  ? 


109 


\l 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


'>   I 


Wherein  we  err  for  lack  of  light, 
O  plainer  make  thy  hidden  ways ; 

If  wrongly  we  contend  for  Right, 
Forgive,  and  make  our  wrath  thy  praise. 


And  Other  Poems 


ONWARD. 


FAR-SEEING  Fate,  controlling  all, 
Uplifts  the  race  by  slow  degrees, 
And  men  and  nations  rise  and  fall 
Obedient  to  her  dark  decrees. 

Her  hand  unseen  directs  our  ways 
And  guides  through  evil  into  good ; 

The  turbaned  Moslem  kneels  and  prays 
Where  shrieking  fanes  of  Moloch  stood. 

K  tyrant  hand  may  redden  France 
And  topple  monarchs  from  the  throne. 

But  Europe's  cringing  hosts  advance 
And  claim  their  harvests  as  their  own. 

Whoe'er  by  Clive  or  Hastings  bled. 

They  wrought  with  Progress  and  with  Fate, 
For  India  lifts  her  languid  head 

And  slowly  strides  to  Freedom's  gate. 

Awhile  the  gloom  of  battle-smoke, 
Then  flame  and  roar  of  cannon  cease. 

The  chains  of  slavery  are  broke 
And  Egypt  wears  the  smile  of  peace. 


>!( 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


Did  Rhodes  but  dream  an  idle  dream, 
Or  was  his  vision  that  of  Clive? 

,The  hour  had  struck  for  veldt  and  stream 
To  break  the  shackle  and  the  gyve. 

The  Cross  that  lights  the  Southern  skies 
Should  look  on  triple  Cross  below, 

For  where  the  flag  of  Britain  flies 
Unfettered  Faith  and  Freedom  grow. 

Nor  may  the  tumult  all  be  vain, 
Nor  every  blood-besprinkled  field, 

For  flaming  roar  and  drenching  rain 
Foretell  the  peaceful  autumn  yield. 

Another  land  has  Britain  freed 

From  slavish  wrong  and  settled  night ; 

Another  host  must  Britain  lead 
To  far-off  leveled  plains  of  light. 

In  Greece  our  Art  and  Learning  grew, 
From  her  Castalian  fount  we  draw ; 

Where  Rome's  imperial  eagles  flew 
She  left  her  Government  and  Law ; 

But  Britain's  meed  of  fame  shall  be. 
Though  all  her  fanes  to  dust  be  hurled, 

She  nurtured  Freedom  by  the  sea 
And  gave  it  to  the  waiting  world. 


112 


And  Other  Poems 


MAJUBA  HILL. 

.     .     .     the  veieei  aflkt  dead 

Sound  Hie  a  diitunt  mrreni'jfaU. — liyroH, 

COMRADES  that  have  long  been  sleeping 
On  Majuba's  rugged  hill, 
Hark,  I  hear  a  murmur  sweeping 
Through  the  moonlit  silence  chill. 

Daisied  down  and  heathered  highland      , 
Harvest  plain  and  mapled  height, 

Flock-frequented  southern  island 
Rise  before  my  visioned  sight. 

Gay  with  flags  and  lances  gleaming, 

Tramping  to  the  beat  of  drum, 
Forth  from  cot  and  palace  teeming, 

Shoreward  marching,  thousands  come. 

Now  their  coursers  tread  the  billows 
Foaming  white  beneath  their  feet 

Comrades,  turn  upon  your  pillows! 
Hear  the  iron  pulses  beat ! 

See,  they  stand  with  armor  glancing 

Marshaled  at  the  bugle  call ; 
Now  they  sternly  come,  advancing 

Over  trench  and  mountain  wall. 


M'l 


//i 


i 


A  Blossom  of  the  See 


OnwaiJ,  flaming  death  defying, 
Battling  with  a  hidden  foe, 

Baffled,  bleeding,  falling,  dying. 
Move  the  legions,  thinning  slow. 


5/i 


;; 


Yonder  on  the  crest  appearing, 
Up  they  burst  'mid  crash  of  gun ! 

Hark,  the  mighty  roar  of  cheering — 
Foemen  fled  and  victory  won ! 

Stamp  this  deep  on  deathless  pages : 
"Justice  often  tarries  long. 

But,  though  slumbering  for  ages, 
Ever  rights  a  human  wrong." 

Once  again  on  Freedom's  altar 
Lie  our  best  and  dearest  slain ; 

But  can  sons  of  Britain  falter. 
Though  another's  be  the  gain  ? 

Long  your  name  shall  Hve  in  story, 
Ye  that  nobly  fought  and  well ; 

Welcome  to  our  bed  of  glory, 
Ye  that  as  avengers  fell. 

Our?  \o  fail  in  the  endeavor; 

Yours  to  win  the  bloody  field, 
Yours  to  live  in  fame  forever ; 

Ours  to  die — but  not  to  yield. 


//, 


And  Other  Poerrn 


Barren,  bleak  and  lonely  mountain, 
Now  departed  is  thy  shame ; 

Cleansed  by  victor's  crimson  fountain. 
Thine  is  now  an  honored  name. 

In  the  silence  deep  ind  solemn 
We  shall  slumber  now  content; 

Rear  for  us  no  storied  column, 
This  our  noblest  monument  1 


•It 


"S 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


CANADA  TO  COLUMBIA. 


Vi 


O  ELDER  sister,  though  thou  didst  of  yore 
Forsake  thy  mother's  ancient  halt  and  flee 
To  be  the  chosen  bride  of  Liberty, 
She  cherishes  her  grief  and  wrath  no  more, 
Nor  seeks  the  broken  circle  to  restore. 
Yet  fain  would  clasp  thee  to  her  breast  again, 
But  thou  aloof  uncertain  dost  remain. 


O  canst  thou  not  the  one  mistake  forget 
Of  her  that  bore  thee,  taught  thy  lips  to  frame 
Thy  early  words,  thy  God  in  prayer  to  name ; 
That  in  the  paths  of  right  and  justice  set 
Thy  feet,  where  not  infrequent  walk  they  yet; 
That  stood  devoted  at  thy  youthful  side. 
Nor  e'en  her  blood  in  thy  defence  denied  ? 

But  if  thy  younger  sister  yet  abide 
Content  and  happy  in  her  mother's  hall, 
Nor  feel  the  bond  of  blood  a  menial  thrall, 
But,  leaning  heart  to  heart,  of  choice  confide 
In  mother  yet  as  dearest  guard  and  guide, — 
If  thou  wilt  not  thy  mother's  love  regain. 
Why  must  thy  cradle  sister  plead  in  vain  ? 


ti6 


And  Other  Poems 


Yet  all  the  best  that  bubbles  in  our  veins 
We  sisters  drew  from  that  one  Saxon  breast. 
Where  oftentimes  thy  maiden  cheek  has  pressed, 

Mine  resting  still  in  loving  trust  remains. 

Our  bonds  of  blood  should  be  enduring  chains. 
Obey  thy  heart  and  grasp  the  proffered  hand, 
Then  all  ihe  world  our  wills  may  not  withstand. 
1898. 


/// 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


COLUMBIA  TO  CANADA, 


LONG  have  I  proudly  held  iloof,  nor  deigned 
To  tread  the  chambers  oi  that  mother's  hall 
Who,  when  I  heard  the  bridegroom's  earnest  call, 
With  needless  force  my  hasting  fei;t  detained 
Till  deep  our  garments  were  in  crimson  stained, 
Till  by  her  altar,  cleft  and  overturned. 
Among  the  ashes  cold,  lay  Love  inurned. 


.(' 


I 


I  fled,  and  far  away  in  western  wild, 
Where  Heaven  keeps  from  dusk  to  dawn  unfurled 
My  banner  broad  and  blue  and  star-empearled, 
Have  I  a  home  on  ampler  basis  piled. 
And  busy  wrought,  alone,  unreconciled. 
Thee,  by  thy  mother  biding,  loved  I  not, 
And  even  smote  when  yet  my  wrath  was  hot. 

But  when,  indignant  at  a  neighbor's  woe. 
Who,  crout   ing  'neath  the  trampling  heel,  awoke 
At  last  to  St  ike  the  swift  avenging  stroke. 

But,  fainting,  sank  beneath  redoubled  blow, 

I  dared  to  smite  the  swarthy  alien  foe. 
And  all  with  threatening  aspect  stood  around, 
In  her  a  friend,  in  her  alone,  I  found. 


118 


Ana  Other  Poems 


And  then  the  dormant  memories  of  the  years 
When  happy  in  her  constant  love  I  dwelt 
Came  flooding  back  again,  until  I  felt 
The  lengthened  absence  only  more  endears 
That  mother  whom  my  inner  soul  reveres. 
Together  be  our  banners  broad  unfurled— 
The  Cross,  the  Stars,  the  beacons  of  the  world ! 
1898. 


"9 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


BUILDERS  OF  THE  BROAD  DOMINION. 

BUILDERS  of  the  broad  Dominion, 
Delve  foundations  deep  and  wide, 
Strong  to  bear  a  noble  structure 
That,  resisting  rage  of  tempest, 
Through  the  ages  shall  abide. 
Build  enduring  walls  of  beauty. 
Crown  the  shining  crest  with  turrets, 
Seat  it  high  upon  the  summit. 
Where  its  light  shall  serve  the  nations 
As  a  beacon  and  a  guide. 

Builders  of  the  broad  Dominion, 
Build  as  if  in  Heaven's  sight ; 
Bending  with  becoming  reverence. 
Mould  your  laws  in  truth  and  justice- 
God  is  yet  a  God  of  Right. 
Masses  make  a  rabble  merely, 
Only  men  of  thought  a  nation ; 
Fling  abroad  the  flag  of  Knowledge, 
Gather  'neath  it  all  the  people : 
God  is  too  a  God  of  Light. 

Builders  of  the  broad  Dominion, 
Union  only  can  succeed : 
Stay  the  petty  strife  of  party, 


And  Other  Poems 


Stop  the  hungry  hunt  for  office, 
Hush  the  crafty  cry  of  creed. 
Labor  for  your  land's  advancement 
As  a  banded  league  of  brothers ; 
Climb,  but  lift  your  comrades  with  you  ; 
Set  your  heart  on  something  higher 
Than  the  lust  of  selfish  greed. 

Builders  of  the  broad  Dominion, 
Love  the  honor  of  your  land : 
Meet  your  neighbor  as  an  equal. 
Crouch  nor  cringe  for  crumbs  of  favor. 
Give  and  take  a  brother's  hand. 
British  blood  is  bounding  in  you, 
British  hearts  within  you  beating, — 
Never  basely  kneels  the  Briton. 
Bow  to  none  in  meek  submission ; 
Proudly  face  the  world  and  stand. 


Builders  of  the  broad  Dominion, 
Dowered  r^ch  are  your  domains : 
Land  of  lake  and  rushing  river. 
Land  of  fragrant  slopes  of  forest. 
Land  of  level  pathless  plains ; 
Land  where  summer  sunlight  lingers 
Painting  peach  and  flushing  apple ; 
Land  of  bright  and  bracing  winters 
Sending  vital  force  and  vigor 
Flashing,  thrilling  through  the  veins. 


I 


V 


i' 


i2» 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


Buildrrs  of  the  broad  Dominion, 
Waiting  long  your  wealth  has  Iain : 
Mountain  breasts,  to  fulness  bursting. 
Laced  with  shining  veins  of  metal, 
Wait  for  you  to  stoop  and  drain ; 
Prairies,  that  a  thousand  ages 
Have  been  storing  deep  w.ih  richness. 
As  a  food  for  future  nullions, 
Wait  to  fill  your  cloven  furrows 
With  the  wealth  of  waving  grain. 

Builders  of  the  broad  Dominion, 
Mount  your  iron  steed  and  roam, 
Set  his  name  of  silver  streaming. 
Heat  his  blood  to  seething  hisses, 
Bring  your  boundless  treasure  home. 
Trail  the  timbers  from  the  forest. 
Whirl  your  wheels  with  tossing  torrents, 
Delve  a  deeper  path  to  ocean. 
Lade  >our  vessels  to  the  bulwarks. 
Plough  the  plunging  deeps  to  foam. 


ting, 


ess, 


C^onnets 


ne. 
>rrents, 


i 


tj." 


:i 


And  Other  Poems 


ENGLAND. 


r-\  MOTHER,  pilot  in  remoter  sea, 
v^       Redeemer  of  the  wild  and  barren  land. 
That  all  may  under  Freedom's  banner  stand' 
And  hear  thy  world-wide  mandate  to  be  free, 
Thy  ancient  foes  in  envy  picture  thee 
A  greedy  tyrant  wielding  flaming  brand. 
And  ruthless  crushing  with  a  bloody  hand 
The  brave  that  will  not  tamely  bow  the  knee. 

Yet  thou  hast  pardoned  traitors  from  thy  hearth 
And  stealthy  foes  that,  masked  in  thine  array  ' 
When  winning,  strip  the  maimed  and  even  slay; 

And  thou  alone  on  all  the  reddened  earth 
Hast  paused  to  shield  amid  the  frenzied  strife 
A  fighting  foe's  forsaken  child  and  wife. 


i 


THE  BAY  OF  QUINTE. 

r\  BAY  of  beauty,  hollowed  by  the  hands 
W     That  in  the  heavens  rolled  the  orbs  of  flame; 

O  flashmg  mirror  set  in  emerald  frame 
Where  J^orn,  awaking,  mute  in  rapture  stands 
And  E  e.  disrobing,  lays  her  jeweled  bands ; 

Where  plr  _id  wave  and  lulling  airs  proclaim 


I2S 


\\ 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


For  silken  sail  a  haven  safe,  the  same 
As  for  the  panting  barge  from  other  lands. 

Fair  image  of  our  God's  wide-open  palm, 
That  proffers  beauties  from  the  morning  sweet 
Till  dusky  fingers  Twilight's  lattice  close, 
And  when  at  last  we  turn  to  seek  repose, — 
If  Life  have  been  with  toil  or  play  replete, — 
Provides  for  each  a  haven  safe  and  calm. 


A  LEADER. 


H 


WE  SAW  the  sun  with  glorious  rising  beams 
Dispersing  shadows  of  our  western  sky, 
With  light  increasing  ever  soaring  high 
And  warming  all  our  waiting  hills  and  streams. 
He  touched  the  peaks  where  southern  eagle  screams 
Till  kindly  wonder  kindled  in  her  eye ; 
He  eastward  let  his  shining  arrows  fly 
Till  ancient  kingdoms  wakened  from  their  dreams. 

But  now  behold,  alas,  some  fateful  hand 
A  veil  of  cloud  o'er  all  his  glory  throws 

And  casts  a  blight  of  darkness  o'er  the  land 
On  which  the  brightness  of  his  dawning  rose. 

Shall  such  a  sun  in  noontide  splendor  stand. 
Yet  sink  in  night  and  darkness  at  its  close  ? 

1 26 


And  Other  Poems 


THE  MARSH  IN  WINTER. 

THE  marsh  now  lies  in  desolation  drear, 
And  igloos  fur-clad  Eskimos  have  built 
Amia  the  tangled  flags  that,  pale  and  sere 

(Bioken  Excaliburs  bereft  of  jeweled  hilt), 
Are  isled  among  the  icy  seas  and  shoals : 
A  chill  domain  of  death, — a  desert  lone 
Where  Life  is  not ;  but  lost  and  wandering  souls 
Sweep  by  on  midnight  wings  with  shriek  and  moan. 

Yet  here  a  voice  shall  bid  the  dead  arise, 
An  arm  relift  the  blade  above  the  mere. 

And,  beckoned  from  remoter  southern  skies. 
Shall  winged  wanderers  nest  and  babble  here, 

Whenever  Spring,  God's  resurrecting  breath. 

Shall  breathe  upon  this  frozen  realm  of  death. 


DEFORMITIES. 

WHENE'ER  we  meet  a  fellow-mortal  born 
With  shapeliness  of  figure  unendowed, — 
A  feature  drawn  awry,  a  shoulder  bowed, 
A  curved  or  shrunken  limb  of  vigor  shorn, — 
How  prone  to  lift  derisive  lip  in  scorn, 
And,  careless  of  the  sting,  to  cry  aloud 
The  mocking  name  that  flings  a  sadder  cloud 
Upon  a  brow  sufficiently  forlorn! 


'27 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


\i\ 


And  yet  the  man  -ve  seldom  so  despise, 
That  hath  his  inward  self  distorted  made, 
That  fouls  his  lip  with  curse  and  reeking  jest, 
That  hides  a  sink  of  baseness  in  bis  breast, 
And  boasts  of  trustful  confidence  betrayed, 
By  sleek  hypocrisy  and  fawning  lies. 


THE  DEATH  AND  MEMORY  OF  THE  JUST. 

WHEN  silent  hushes  rom<;;  and  dying  Day 
His  hand  extends  agleam  with  heaven's  gold, 
To  bless  his  waiting  children  of  the  wold, 
He  leaves  a  radiance  where  his  fingers  lay ; 
When  Autumn,  too,  arising,  soars  away 

With  fiery  steeds  and  chariot  flame-enrolled. 
He  downward  flings  his  mantle's  gleaming  fold 
And  wraps  the  watching  woods  in  bright  array. 

So,  on  the  features  of  departing  saint 
A  softened  gleam  of  glory  often  grows 

That  seems  a  radiance  streaming  far  and  faint 
From  Heaven's  gate  beginning  to  unclose. 

In  death,  the  glory  hushes  all  complaint. 
And  radiant  are  the  golden  afterglows. 


m 


WHAT  hand  has  ever  stayed  the  coming  tide? 
Ii  sweeps  at  last  the  stoutest  soul  away. 
Why  dream  we  not  and  rest  our  little  day  ? 
Death  takes  the  sweet-lipped  maiden  at  our  side, 

t2& 


And  Other  Poems 


The  friend  of  constant  heart  and  judgment  tried, 
And  Stands  with  finger  ready  raised,  that  may 
Upon  our  busy  hands  a  silence  lay 

Ere  aught  be  done  that  seeming  may  abide. 

True  heart,  forbear  to  falter  at  thy  task, 
Nor  pause  and  tremble  at  the  yawning  sod : 
Thy  comrades  of  the  morning  thou  shalt  meet. 
Fill  life  with  deeds:  not  thine  it  is  to  ask 
If  thou  or  other  shall  the  work  complete: 
Perform  thy  par;  and  leave  the  rest  to  God. 


TT'HE  father  sends  his  children  to  the  field 

And  bidi  them  labor  till  the  call  to  rest, 
Cleaving  the  glebe,  removing  from  its  breast 
Encumb'ring  stone  and  wealth-absorbing  weed, 
Dispensing  carefully  the  chosen  seed, 
That  here  they  in  the  harvest  hour  may  gain 
Reward  of  ripened  sheaves  and  garnered  grain, 
When  autumn  shall  her  due  abundance  yield. 

The  Master  sends  us  to  the  fields  of  Life 
Our  given  task  with  patience  to  fulfil, 
Not  ceasing  til!  the  summons  to  depart. 
Contending  for  the  richt,  and  waging  strife 
With  every  form  of  soul-retarding  ill : 
We  reap  the  harvest  daily  in  the  heart. 


ili 


129 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


"i^UIT  work  and  live:  we'll  be  a  long  time  dead." 

v^     Nay,  rather  work  that  we  may  never  die. 
"In  the  sweat  of  thy  face  shalt  thou  eat  bread"— 

These  Scripture  words  do  seemingly  imply 
A  curse,  but  are  a  blessing  in  disguise. 

The  truest  pleasure  man  can  ever  find 
Is  when  in  honest  work  he  busy  plies 

All  energies  of  htnd  and  heart  and  mind. 


There  is  -  longing  in  each  human  breast 

Not  even  in  the  dust  to  lie  forgot: 
Only  the  o-  e  that  bravely  does  his  best,— 

How  long  may  be  the  task  it  matters  not, — 
Fulfilling  all  commands  his  God  may  give. 
Hereafter,  nay,  e'en  here,  does  truly  live. 

ARCHIBALD  LAMPMAN. 

OWi«  February,  1899 

A   SOUL  Hke  that  of  Keats,  with  Beauty  thrilled, 
Hath  also  ere  its  noontide  perished  long; 
The  seraph  lips  amid  their  gladdest  song 
Some  hand  of  silent  touch  hath  ever  stilled. 
The  harp  lies  broken ;  and  the  finger,  skilled 
To  waken  numbers  cheery,  sweet,  and  strong, 
No  more  the  gladsome  cadence  shall  prolong 
Till  every  listening  heart  with  hope  be  filled. 


iBO 


And  Other  Poems 


Though  dear  the  loss  of  that  unfinished  strain, 
Though  skilful  hand  and  tuneful  lip  be  gone. 

He  hath  not  swept  the  string  nor  sung  in  vain : 

The  song  that  swelled  with  hope  and  loving  trust 
Shall  e'er  in  cheerful  notes  go  ringing  on. 

Nor  die  and  be  enshrouded  with  his  dust. 


THEODORE  H.  RAND. 


S'.\ 

Uj 


WHERE  sleepless  Minas  in  a  weird  unrest 
Blew  loud  his  trump  or  moaned  his  dirge  of 
pain. 
He  caught  the  roll  and  cadence  of  a  strain 
That  human  lip  had  never  yet  expressed. 
'Mid  academic  temples  of  the  West 
The  sounds  of  home  rang  o'er  and  o'er  again. 
Till  swelling  came,  attuned  to  that  refrain, 
The  thrilling  song  that  haunted  long  his  breast. 


But,  by  the  sea,  his  lonely  mother  yearned 
With  Honor's  wreath  her  absent  son  to  grace. 

In  jealous  joy  to  see  him  home  returned 
She  wrapt  him  close  in  overfond  embrace. 

Now,  still  and  songless,  on  her  breast  he  sleeps. 

And  sorrowed  Minas  ever  moans  and  weeps. 


131 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


ALEXANDRA 

A  VIKING'S  daughter,  love-allured,  she  came 
O'er  northern  deeps   to  share  a   sea-king's 
throne ; 
No  heartier  welcome  has  a  princess  known. 
No  fairer  bride  could  prouder  monarch  claim ; 
Years  have  not  dimmed  her  welcome  nor  her  fame ; 
And  now,  while  bowing  myriads  bemoan 
Her  Edward's  loss,  for  her,  bereft  and  lone. 
Our  trembling  lips  the  tenderest  blessings  frame. 

Faint  not,  dear  heart,  beneath  thy  weight  of  woe; 

Fairest  of  queens,  our  Britain  ill  can  spare 
The  gentle  hand  that  knows  the  art  that  bnngs 
Distress  relief,  like  magic  touch  of  kmgs. 

Late  may  thy  feet  to  tread  his  way  prepare. 
Long  may  the  worid  thy  angel  presence  know. 

ON  VIEWING  KING  EDWARD'S  PICTURE 

METHINKS  I  see  in  that  majestic  face 
The  cheeriness  that  speaks  the  hearty  fnend; 
The  purpose  firm,  undaunted  to  the  end; 
The  wisdom  that  a  kingly  brow  should  grace; 
And  something,  too,  divinely  sad— the  trace 
Of  cares  and  sore  perplexities  that  rend 
The  earnest  heart  when  those  beloved  contend, 
Forgetful  how  they  ruin  or  debase. 


132 


And  Other  Poems 


came 
ea-king'» 

n, 
n; 
fame; 

le, 
rame. 

woe; 

e 
ings 

ire, 

3W. 


rruRE 


ty  friend; 


ice; 


ontend, 


Model  of  monarchs,  king  in  mind  and  heart, 
Too  diligent  he  has  the  people  served, 
Nor  paused  till  death  his  busy  hand  unnervtd. 

On  him,  the  lord  of  kingdoms  far  apart, 
As  now  he  lays  his  earthly  sceptre  down, 
In  love  the  world  bestows  her  richest  crown. 

GOLDWIN  SMITH. 

Obiit  Junt  7lh,  1910. 

TREACHER  and  Sage  who  wrote  with  magic  pen 
1      Dipped  in  Castalian  fount,  who  standing  by 
Surveyed  with  clear  and  unimpassioned  eye 

The  deeds  of  nations  and  the  thoughts  of  men; 

Keen  to  discern  a  human  wrong,  and  then 
Bold  to  o'erthrow  the  Dagon  and  defy 
With  dignity  the  clam'rous  hosts  that  try 

Their  fallen  idol  to  erect  again. 

O  Soul  clear-visioned,  hast  thou  fathomed  now 

The  Riddle  of  Existence  that  perplexed 
Thy  honest  heart  and  clouded  oft  thy  brow  ? 
Full  needlessly  has  this  thy  bosom  vexed- 
Ready  thy  heart  and  ready  was  thy  pen 
For  aught  that  cheered  or  blessed  thy  fellowmen. 

FLORENCE  NIGHTINGALE. 

Obiit  August  13th,  1910 
jUATIONS  HAD  stormed  their  heated  wrath  away, 
A  1     And,  torn  by  shell  and  trenched  by  eajjer  steel 
And  trampled  by  the  frenzied  charger's  heel, 
Thousands  of  Britain's  best  and  bravest  lay 


:i 


'33 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


Sore  racked  with  panes;  and  Pestilence  held  sway 
In  barren  sheds,  and  set  a  scarlet  seal 
On  lip  and  brow,  that  might  to  Death  reveal, 
Than  in  the  battling  ranks  a  surer  prey. 

Angel  of  Hope  and  Healing,  dying  men 
Paused  on  the  verge  to  answer  her  recall 
And  felt  (he  thrill  of  life  reviving  when 
She  laid  her  hand  upon  each  beatmg  brow. 
They  rose  to  bless  her  as  she  passed,  as  all 
Arise  and  bless  her  as  she  passes  now. 


MARK  TWAIN. 

Obiil  April  21,  19 lO. 

STRUGGLING  to  reach  scTie  far  dim-lying  coast, 
O'er  sands  that  burn,  in  vales  remote  from  day. 
On  rocky  summits  bleak,  in  dense  array, 
Or  scattered  ranks,  we  strove,  a  fainting  host: 
Maker  of  Mirth,  when  thou  weft  given  the  post 
Of  guide  to  lead  by  more  delightful  way. 
Ever  thou  didst  a  cheery  front  display 
E'en  when  thy  heart  was  crushed  and  bleeding  most. 

Nor  less  a  guide,  nor  least  in  merit  thou. 
Though  thy  commands  were  given  with  a  smile ; 
Thou  hast  inspired  as  leader  of  the  van 
Because  we  knew  thou  wert  \n  heart  a  man. 
Honest  in  thought  and  deed,  contemning  gpiile, 
Worthy  this  wreath  we  lay  upon  thy  brow. 


134 


And  Other  Poems 


FRAGMENTS. 

By  outward  dress  the  heart  we  measure  oft : 
The  thistle  hath  a  thorny  coat,  but  yet 

The  bee  can  find  a  bosom  silken-soft 
And  ruby  lips  with  dewy  sweetness  wet. 

The  many  tasks  I  leave  undone 

Demand  an  age  of  years; 
Too  soon  the  slender  thread  is  spun. 

Too  swift  the  fatal  shears. 


'3S 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


LES  BELLES  CANADIENNES. 


I 


TO  LOUISE. 

O  GLOSSY  locks  that  Night  with  dusky  hand 
Hath  swept  in  waves  and  lit  with  lurking  light, 
Profusely  clustered  round  a  forehead  bright 
With  beams  of  beauty  brought  from  Morning  Land! 
O  lips  that  breathe  of  scented  blossoms  fanned 
By  low-voiced  breezes  loitering  in  their  flight ! 
O  eyes  of  darksome  depths  of  lustrous  Night 
That  dream  of  waves  that  lap  Italian  strand ! 

The  softened  glow  that  slumbers  in  thine  eyes, 
The  veil  of  light  about  thy  forehead  thrown, 
A  sunny  climate  only  can  impart: 
This  clime  of  warm  and  unbeclouded  skies, 
Where  all  thy  charms  have  to  perfection  grown. 
Is  but  the  sunshine  of  thy  loving  heart. 

TO  MARIE. 

WHEN  lonely  wanderer  on  the  starless  deep. 
By  shrouding  glooms  and  baffling  blasts  dis- 
mayed, 
Discerns  an  isle  of  ever-during  shade, 


136 


And  Other  Poems 


Of  level  greens  and  fairy-haunted  steep. 

Where  bubbling  murmurs  o'er  the  senses  creep, 
And  snowy  lips  to  fragrant  rest  persuaile, 
He  longs  to  furl  his  canvas  torn  and  frayed, 

To  wake  forever  or  untroubled  sleep. 

So  I.  though  baffled  oft  and  wandering  lone. 
Have  found  in  thee  the  friend  I  long  have  sought, 

With  heart  and  mind  responsive  to  my  own ; 

And  may  I  in  thy  presence  but  abide. 

Enraptured  with  the  music  of  thy  thought. 

No  more  I  seek  nor  ask  a  heaven  beside. 

TO  NELLIE. 

/^  NLY  one  shrine  I  kneel  to  day  by  day, 
V- /     Only  one  flower  to  me  can  fragrant  seem, 
Only  one  bird  can  thrill  me  with  its  lay. 

Only  one  star  can  send  a  cheering  beam : 
If  then  that  shrine  be  closed,  I  cannot  pray; 

That  star  obscured,  all  heaven  is  blank  and  void; 
That  flower  dead,  all  sweetness  fled  away ; 

That  bird-voice  stilled,  all  melody  destroyed. 

And  yet  I  did  no+  deem  one  absent  face. 
One  voice  unheard,  of  all  that  I  have  known, 

Would  render  earth  a  cheerless  dwelling-place, ' 
And  make  my  path  so  desolate  and  lone. 

Return,  dear  face,  return,  sweet  voice,  and  bring 

The  brightness  and  melodies  of  Spring. 


\\\ 


137 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


TO  OLIVE. 


I    HELD  as  vain,  when  ancient  sages  taught, 
That  yonder  limpid  far-revolving  sphere, 
Whose  twinkling  beams  in  ether  realms  appear. 
Could  send  through  deeps  of  space  an  impulse  fraught 
With  mystic,  subtle  potency  that  wrought 
The  will  of  destiny  on  mortals  here. 
Throughout  their  lives  determined  their  career. 
And  prompted  every  secret  wish  and  thought. 

1 
No  more  I  disbelieve;  for  o'er  my  soul 
Thy  subtle  spell  has  come  that,  near  or  far. 

On  Noontide's  heights,  or  in  the  Vale  of  Dream, 
O'er  all  my  being  holds  a  sway  supreme. 
How  can  I  doubt  that  other  heavenly  star. 
For  this  does  every  thought  and  wish  control  ? 

TO  CLARA. 

AS  ONE  who  standing  on  the  ocean  shore 
Where  to  his  feet  are  in  succession  rolled 
Translucent  billows  fraught  with  sunset  gold 
That  seem  to  float  from  Heaven's  open  door 
Must  feel  the  spell  of  rapture  more  and  more 
The  longer  he  their  glory  shall  behold. 
Till  soul  and  sense  in  fetters  they  enfold, 
And  he  can  naught  but  tremble  and  adore. 

So  vainly  I  thy  magic  spell  withstand ; 
For  more  and  more  thy  fairy  arts  enthrall, 

t38 


And  Other  Poems 


Till,  heart  and  soul  enchanted,  I  confess 
A  passing  touch  of  thy  caressing  hand, 
A  whispered  word  that  from  thy  lips  may  fall, 
Can  make  or  mar  my  lasting  happiness. 

TO  VIVIAN. 

T   ASKED  my  heart,  that  beats  accord  with  thine, 
1   ^  What  if  we  twain  no  more  for  aye  should  meet; 
Ne'er  dreaming  such  could  be,  this  heart  of  mine 

Grew  silent  at  the  thought  and  ceased  to  beat. 
I  asked  my  soul  if  gone  were  its  delight. 

Thy  kindred  soul,  would  it  thy  loss  deplore; 
It  shuddered,  plumed  a  sudden  wing  for  flight 

To  leave  its  mortal  cell  for  evermore. 

If  we  no  more  may  wander  hand  in  hand, 
If  we  no  more  may  hold  communion  sweet 

And  read  a  thought  as  unexpressed  command. 
If  heart  to  heart  no  more  responsive  beat, 

I  care  not  when  the  gates  of  life  reclose. 

Nor  in  what  deep  of  Lethe  I  repose. 

TO  MARGARET. 

A  S  ONE  who  roaming  on  a  pathless  sea 
t\     His  bark  has  guided  by  one  star  alone, 

Whose  radiant  beams  upon  the  billows  thrown 
Have  been  his  constant  light  of  destiny, 


nt 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


Must  when,  in  clouds  of  dark  obscurity, 
It  disappears,  till  mists  are  overblown. 
His  canvas  furl  and  wait  where  glooms  unknown 

And  moaning  winds  and  heaving  waters  be; 

So  I,  who  centred  every  wish  and  thought 
On  thee,  and  ever  found  thy  smile  a  guide, 

Thy  word  an  inspiration  true,  nor  sought 
Nor  even  wished  another  heaven  beside 

Thy  presence,  now  deplore  the  bonds  of  Fate 

And  longing  for  thy  early  coming  wait. 


TO  AILEEN. 

WITH  vestal  veil  from  glowing  brow  withdrawn, 
'Mid  floating  mists  and  ebon  clouds  of  night 
That  faintly  shroud  her  arms  and  bosom  white, 
Betimes  appears  the  Angel  of  the  Dawn 
And  swiftly  spreads  o'er  waiting  wood  and  lawn 
The  wonder  of  her  all-pervading  light. 
Till  glooms  and  shadows  far  have  taken  flight 
And  Night  and  all  his  darknesses  are  gone. 

So  comes  Aileen,  the  angel  of  my  heart, 
A  gladsome  vision,  down  the  winding  stair, 
Her  beaming  brow  with  loosened  tresses  crowned 
That  float  and  fold  her  perfect  form  around ; 
Then,  at  her  magic  presence.  Gloom  and  Care 
With  all  their  haunting  minions  soon  depart. 


140 


And  Other  Poems 


TO  KATIE. 

WinUii  TtUgraphy. 

FLUNG  from  uplifted  tower,  on  pulsing  air 
In  viewless  waves,  our  winged  words  we  send 
Across  unijieasured  deeps  of  distance,  where 

Accordant  keys  alone  can  comprehend: 
Unfettered,  unconfined  by  Time  or  Place, 

Can  hearts  be  so  attuned  that  every  thought 
May  wing  its  way  across  the  deeps  of  Space 
And  instant  by  according  mind  be  caught? 

It  needs  must  be :  else  in  the  silent  night. 

Or  even  'mid  the  busy  tasks  of  day. 
Why  do  I  hear  thy  voice  in  whispers  light 

The  message  of  thy  soul  to  mine  copvey? 
Annulling  Time;  o'erleaping  Space,  to  me 
Thy  heart-waves  come,  howe'er  remote  thou  be. 


TO  MAUD. 

AY,  JEALOUS  am  I  when  my  eyes  behold 
The  passing  breezes  wanton  with  each  tress 
That  fain  my  fingers  would  alone  caress, 
And  interweave  its  brown  with  twilight  gold. 
When  thou  art  bent  o'er  lily  snowy  cold 
And  it  uplifts  a  stealthy  hand  to  press 
Thy  cheek  of  morning  flushes,  I  confess 
My  jealous  bosom  rages  uncontrolled. 


I4t 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


Again,  whene'er  I  see  so  fondly  pressed 
Some  fragrant  rose's  dewy  lips  to  thine. 
Or  when  the  stars,  the  eyes  of  angels,  shine 

The  brighter  at  thy  glances,  in  my  breast 
A  torrent  tosses  like  a  troubled  sea — 
So  deep,  so  fond,  so  mad,  my  love  for  thee. 


K  I, 


142 


And  Other  Poems 


THE  BESSEMER.  No.  2. 

Lake  Erie,  Dicimber  7,  1910. 

F'lERCE  wrath  had  darkened  heaven's  face, 
And  Night  her  blackest  pall  had  cast 
Where  billows,  caught  in  dread  embrace, 

Were  struggling  with  the  frenzied  blast. 
Across  contending  waves  of  death 

A  steel-clad  courser  takes  its  way, 
Whose  heart-deep  groans  and  hissing  breath 

The  fierceness  of  the  strife  betray. 
With  heart  of  fire  and  nerves  of  steel, 

With  throbbing  veins  of  rushing  blood. 
With  roll  and  toss,  with  plunge  and  reel. 

It  battles  with  the  raving  flood. 
But  bittet  blew  the  blast  and  cold. 

And  whirling  spume  and  flying  sleet 
Congealed  and  clung  till  fold  on  fold 

It  fettered  like  a  winding-sheet. 
Then  with  a  roar,  as  if  on  high 

The  dome  of  God  were  cleft  and  rent 
And  down  were  crashing  star  and  sky, 

Both  maddened  Wave  and  Tempest  bent 
Their  blows  upon  its  panting  side; 

And  one  huge  mass  upon  it  fell, 
As  if  the  demon,  heaven-denied. 

Had  issued  from  his  nether  hell 


143 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


And,  tearing  from  its  native  bed 

Some  jutting  crag,  aloft  had  swung. 
And  on  the  courser,  as  it  sped, 

The  mountain  mass  in  fury  flung. 
Broke  heart  of  fire,  snapped  nerves  of  steel. 

Burst  throbbing  veins  of  rushing  blood ; 
With  roll  and  toss  and  plunge  and  reel 

It  sank  beneath  the  heaving  flood. 
The  skies  assumed  a  darker  frown : 

With  dismal  shrink  and  sullen  roar 
Where  sank  the  gallant  courser  down 

Fought  Wave  and  Tempest  as  before. 


When  came  the  crash  nine  men  resigned 

Their  task  below  and  gained  the  deck. 
And,  undeterred  by  wave  or  wind, 

Half-clad  escaped  the  shattered  wreck. 
The  oars  with  willing  hands  they  plied, 

But  knew  not  where  the  prow  to  turn ; 
With  starless  sky  and  tossing  tide 

No  homeward  way  could  they  discern. 
But  cold  and  bitter  blew  the  blast. 

And  flying  foam  and  cutting  sleet 
Congealed  and  clung  and  slowly  glassed 

Their  forms  in  icy  winding-sheet. 
They  called :  the  Tempest  mocked  their  cries. 

They  thought  of  home  and  wife  and  cot. 
And  lifted  hands  to  sullen  skies 

And  prayed ;  but  Heaven  heard  them  not. 


1*4 


And  Other  Poems 


Yet  Death  was  kind :  for  soon  grow  dumb 

Their  pleading  lips,  and  heart  and  brain, 
As  fast  their  limbs  congeal,  become 

To  anguish  deadened  and  to  pain. 
Visions  arise  of  perils  past, 

Of  greeting  wife,  of  hearth  aglow 
With  warmth,  of  restful  couch  at  last 

And  grateful  slumber  stealing  slow 
O'er  wearied  limbs,  until  there  seems 

On  marble  face,  in  slsring  eyes 
The  joy  of  those  that  see,  in  gleams 

Afar,  The  Land  of  Glad  Surprise. 

When  morning  breaks,  the  sun  beams  cold 

On  waves  that  heave  with  muffled  roar, 
Where  frozen  forms  yet  firmly  hold 

In  rigid  hands  the  useless  oar. 
Each  in  his  place  still  forward  leans, 

As  if  his  frosted  eyes  the  Maze 
Of  Dark  had  pierced  that  ever  screens 

The  Future  from  our  mortal  gaze. 

If  martyrs  faithful  to  their  creeds 

May  wing  their  way  to  Heav'n  through  flame 
May  not  those  faithful  in  their  deeds 

A  like  reward  through  suff'ring  claim? 
If  e'er  in  duty  failed  they  aught 

Are  they  not  purified  by  pain  ? 
Have  they  not  well  the  battle  fought 

And  shall  they  not  the  Haven  gain? 


'4$ 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


A  LESSON. 


I    FLUNG  me  down  amid  a  cypress  shade 
And  muttered  in  my  bitter  gloomy  mood : 
"What  profit  in  a  kindly  deed  or  good  ? 
The  wrong,  the  right, — and  why  distinction  made  ? 
The  wrong  is  soon  forgiven  or  forgot ; 
The  right  unseenj  or  swift  remembered  not." 


But,  as  I  spoke,  a  vile,  envenomed  worm 
Came  crawling  through  the  rubbish  foul  and  dank. 
Though  often  out  of  sight  the  creature  sank, 

Yet  up  again  the  horrid  shape  would  squirm : 
Though  coiled  and  hidden  under  leafage  fair, 
I  knew  the  lurking  horror  still  was  there. 

Then  fell  through  parted  leaves  a  beam  of  lifht 
And  dropped  beside  my  feet  a  round  of  gold. 
Though  high  I  heaped  the  filth-polluted  mould, 

I  could  not  dim  nor  hide  the  beam  from  sight : 
And  leaf  and  tinted  bloom  upon  it  laid 
Were  flushed  to  life  and  more  enchanting  made. 


146 


And  Other  Poems 


THE  PASSING  YtAR. 


A   CHILD  in  ermined  robes  she  came 
And  swept  on  sledges  gliding  swift 
Adown  the  sloping  winter  drift 
Till  flushed  her  cheek  with  tinted  flame ; 
Or,  cut  in  curves  the  frozen  flood 
Till,  flashing  from  her  downy  hood. 
Her  eyes  with  laughter  brimming  stood. 


I 


When  fluted  music  filled  the  wold, 
A  maiden  now  and  stately  grown, 
In  gown  of  green  and  loosened  zone. 

Beside  the  woodland  brook  she  strolled ; 
Or,  on  its  margin  couch  reclined, 
And  fragrant  wreath  or  garland  twined 
Her  locks  of  sunlit  brown  to  bind. 


In  mantle  bright  with  harvest  hues. 
With  sober  matron  step  she  went 
Where  orchard  boughs  o'erladen  bent 

With  crimson  cups  of  cooling  dews ; 
Or,  through  the  ripened  valleys  paced, 
And  oft  her  golden  girdle  graced 
With  drooping  ears  in  cluster  placed. 


147 


I 


A  Blossom  of  ttu  Sea 


But  now,  when  dusky  mellow  haze 
Bedims  her  sight,  she  sets  aglow 
Her  maple  torch  and,  crouching  low. 

Surveys  her  robes  of  other  days ; 
But  finding  every  treasured  gown 
And  garland  faded,  torn  and  brown. 
With  broken  sigh  she  lays  them  down. 

Ah !  needless  all  adornments  now ! 
For  soon  her  bt^sy  hands  will  rest 
Upon  her  still,  white-shrouded  breast. 

And  pallor  clothe  her  dreamless  brow : 
The  dosing  scene  is  nearing  fast; 
Full  soon  are  hers  the  chambers  vast 
And  shadow  valleys  of  the  Past. 


148 


And  Other  Poems 


TO  A  FRIEND. 

IIOW  can  the  worth  oi  fri.;ndship  be  portrayed? 
*  *     Though  man  has  measured  mountains  heaven- 
crowned, 
In  ocean's  darkest  deep  the  plummet  laid, 

Has  tracked  the  glowing  planet's  whirling  round. 
In  balance  set  the  far-off  burning  sphere, 
He  yet  the  worth  of  faithful  friend  sincere 

Can  never  mete  with  rod,  with  plummet  sound. 
Nor  weigh  with  nicest  poise  of  balanced  scale, 
Nor  spy  with  crystal  lenses  that  unveil 

The  limpid  worlds  in  azure  deeps  profound. 


.!  1 
i 


Thy  presence  brings  a  gentle,  steady  light 

However  dark  the  shadows  that  impend, 
A  stroneer  inspiration  for  the  right, 

A  purer  zeal  for  being's  nobler  end. 
While  baser  aspirations  all  depart : 
When  absent,  still  thy  memory  in  my  heart 

A  presence  is  from  evil  to  defend 
Lest  mute  reproval  in  thine  eyes  may  be. 
In  long  communion  thou  hast  been  to  me 

That  best  of  Heaven's  gifts,  a  perfect  friend. 


'49 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


And  shall  I  then  thy  merits  tribute  give. 

Or  hesitate  to  speak  deserved  praise? 
Until  beloved  ones  have  ceased  to  live 

Too  oft  their  due  the  tardy  tongue  delays, 
Then  mutters  praise  to  senseless  ears  of  death. 
Nay,  rather,  while  the  bosom's  quickened  breath 

The  joy  of  commendation  yet  betrays. 
While  yet  a  glow  can  flush  the  conscious  cheek 
And  light  the  eye  responsive,  let  me  speak 

Ere  silence  on  my  lip  her  finger  lays. 


150 


And  Other  Poems 


FALLING  STARS. 

THE  merry  baby  angels 
Make  little  glowing  stars. 
And  tripping  to  the  gateway 
Out-fling  them  through  the  bai. 

They  laugh  to  see  them  falling 
With  shining  trails  of  light, 

As  you  and  I  may  see  them 
On  any  summer  night. 

They  sink  in  limpid  waters. 

On  golden  couches  lie, 
And  mock  the  merry  glances 

Of  comrades  in  the  sky. 
But  some  from  vernal  mosses 
Their  blossom  heads  upraise 
And  stand  in  dreamless  moonlight 

With  dewy  breasts  ablaze, 
Till,  winged  with  heaven-longing. 

They  seek  their  natal  sky. 
And  faded  garments  only 
Among  the  mosses  lie. 
But  still  on  cloudless  midnights 
They  crowd  the  vaulted  blue 
And  twinkle  loving  glances 
And  messages  to  you. 


I5i 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


I 


FAIRY  LAND. 

SILENTLY  from  azure  heaven 
Wing  the  flakes  of  snow, 
Whirling,  floating,  softly  lighting, 
Like  the  falling  leaves  of  autumn 
Earthward  siiiking  slow. 
Hung  with  dainty  lawns  and  laces, 
Spruce  and  cedar  boughs  are  bending 
Till  their  toper  tips  are  resting 
On  the  sward  below. 

Earth  becomes  a  marble  palace — 
Marble  pavements  'neath  the  feet, 
Marble  colonnades  and  arches 
Passing  wildest  dream  of  artist 
Everywhere  the  vision  meet; 
Where  before  were  shrubs  and  hedges 
Now  are  marble  shrines  and  grottoes 
Carved  in  Arabesque  fantastic, 
Every  spray  and  leaf  complete. 

As  the  evening  sun  ere  setting 
Flings  o'er  all  his  golden  spell. 
Hand  and  hand  two  little  maidens 
Wandering  in  this  realm  of  splendor 
Feel  a  joy  no  lip  can  tell. 


And  Other  Poems 


As  they  pass  the  snowy  grottoes, 
One  whose  inmost  soul  is  beauty 
To  her  younger  sister  whispers, 
"This  is  where  the  fairies  dwell." 

Seeing  all  this  grace  and  splendor 
None  of  us  can  understand, 
Not  in  error  was  the  maiden 
In  her  pretty  childhood  fancy 
When  she  deemed  it  Fairy  Land. 
Such  enchanting  forms  of  beauty. 
Chastely  planned  and  deftly  moulded. 
Prove  there  is  a  Mind  of  Beauty 
And  a  more  than  mortal  Hand. 


n 


fii 


\ 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


THE  ROBINS. 

AS  A  fragrant  breath  from  a  mead  afar 
There  came  to  the  robins  a  whisper  low 
As  they  slept  and  dreamed  under  southern  star, 

"The  fairies  are  lifting  the  veils  of  snow, 
Blithe  April  is  comipg  in  flowery  car 
And  the  Dawns  are  setting  the  world  aglow." 

They  freighted  their  air-borne  ships  at  night 
And  breasted  the  waves  of  the  upper  blue ; 

They  set  their  sails  by  the  Northern  Light 
And  steered  where  the  lure  of  the  homeland  drew; 

And  their  glad  hearts  thrilled  as  they  hove  in  sight, 
As  the  heart  must  thrill  if  the  heart  be  true. 

And  now,  in  the  shelter  of  evergreen  boughs, 
In  the  twilight  hush  of  the  dying  day 

They  whisper  their  secrets  and  plight  their  vows: 
They  sing  in  the  morning  their  hearts  away 

As  the  waking  world  with  a  call  they  rouse 
To  rejoice  in  life  and  be  glad  as  they. 


/.'./ 


'; 


*:i,i|' 


And  Other  Poems 


A  SONG. 
ANTICIPATION. 

OCOME,  for  the  light 
Is  low  on  the  hill, 
And,  far  away.  Night 
Is  lingering  still. 

Be  nigh  when  the  flush 
Of  daylight  departs. 

That  the  calm  and  the  hush 
May  quiet  our  hearts. 

O  stay  till  the  stars 
At  the  sky-lattice  stand 

Unfolding  the  bars 
With  flame-lighted  hand. 

Enclasp  me  once  more 

As  a  dove  to  thy  breast. 
My  locks  as  of  yore 

By  thy  fingers  caressed. 
Then  gaze  in  my  eyes 

Till  my  soul  thou  shalt  see, 
For  mirrored  there  lies 

But  an  image  of  thee. 


^S7 


1S8 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


Reclined  on  thy  breast, 

Awake  yet  adream, 
Thy  lips  touch  and  rest 

Light  as  leaf  on  a  stream. 

Their  warmth  and  their  glow 
Set  ray  being  aflame, 

As  wine-flushes  flow 
In  thrills  through  the  frame. 

Dispel  not  the  charm. 
For  aye  let  me  rest, — 

My  shelter  thy  arm, 
My  heaven  thy  breast. 


And  Other  Poems 


ELAINE. 

Dear,  dainty  Elaine, 

Her  voice  has  a  strain 
Like  heart-haunting  music  of  yore ; 

The  sound  of  her  feet 

Is  like  far-echoed  beat. 

In  some  fairy  retreat, 
Of  dream-laden  wave  on  the  shore. 

Chorus. 

This  dainty,  this  fairy  Elaine, 
The  rarest,  the  sweetest. 
The  fairest,  the  neatest. 
In  grace  the  completest, 

The  Edens  of  earth  yet  contain. 

Like  mist-veil  withdrawn 
From  the  forehead  of  Dawn 

Seems  floating  each  soft  ebon  tress ; 
And  her  little  white  hand. 
Like  a  magical  wand, 
Holds  my  heart  at  command 

By  a  touch  or  a  clinging  caress.— Chohus. 

If  with  dim  mystic  glow, 
Like  a  flame  burning  low, 
They  cast  but  a  glance  into  mine. 


'50 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


Her  dark-looming  eyes 
My  soul  hypnotize 
Till  submissive  it  lies, 
Or  thrills  as  with  flushes  of  wine.— Chobus. 

Her  slow-heaving  breast 

Is  a  pillow  of  rest 
With  fresh  apple  bloom  swelling  high ; 

And  her  breath,  lightly  drawn, 

Is  the  faint  air  of  dawn 

That  steals  on  thfe  lawn 
From   the   roses   their   first   waking   sigh.— Chorus. 

Her  lips  once  to  kiss 

Were  sufficient  of  bliss 
To  compen.sate  for  ages  of  pain, 

Could  one  only  forget, 

Or  cease  to  regret. 

Nor  long  ever  yet 
To  press  them  again  and  again. — Chorus. 

Dear,  dainty  Elaine, 

To  be  mine  would  she  deign, 
Of  Earth  I  should  ask  nothing  more ; 

And  no  heaven  were  fair. 

But  a  realm  of  despair. 

If  she  were  not  there, 
Forever  to  love  and  adore.— Chorus. 


160 


;:ri 


And  Other  Poems 


SONG. 

WHEN  robins  pipe  their  warning, 
Across  the  dewy  lea, 
With    flushing,    fragrant    morning 
Come  sweeter  thoughts  of  thee. 

All  (lay  the  moments  winging 

In  ceaseless,  silent  flight. 
Soul  messages  are  bringing 

On  passing  pinions  light. 

When  from  the  heaven  starlit 

The  twilight  glories  fall, 
Those  dreamy  lamps  afar-lit 

Thy  limpid  eyes  recall. 

Thee,  when  my  spirit  gazes 
Through  misty  vales  of  dream, 

I  see  in  all  the  mazes 
Of  valley,  hill  and  stream. 

All  joys  my  heart  hath  tasted 

Seem  nothing  now  to  me. 
And  every  moment  wasted 

Unspent  in  thoughts  of  thee. 

SONG. 

OTURN  to  me  dearest,  no  longer  allow 
A  frown  to  enshadow  so  placid  a  brow. 
Ah,  pardon — (for  anguish  my  reasoning  drowns) — 
So  lovely  a  face  cannot  darken  with  frowns. 


161 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


O  turn  to  me  dearest  and  smile  once  again 
To  soften  my  anguish,  to  banish  my  pain : 
To  journey  through  life  if  thy  smile  were  withdrawn 
Were  to  roam  through  a  land  when  the  flowers  are 
gone. 

O  turn  to  me  dearest,  once  more  let  me  hear 
Thy  sweet,  mellow  tones  and  thy  laugh  ringing  clear : 
No  longer  to  list  to  thy  low  whispered  word 
Were  to  dwell  in  a  land  without  streamlet  or  bird. 

O  turn  to  me  dearest,  to  pardon,  forgive, 
Look  kindly  again,  bid  thy  suppliant  live : 
To  meet  never  more  the  warm  glance  of  thine  eye 
Were  to  dwell  on  an  earth  with  no  sun  in  the  sky. 

O  turn  to  me  dearest,  avert  not  thy  face, 
'Tis  the  lodestar  of  hope  in  this  desolate  place : 
'Tis  the  Vision  by  day,  with  the  beckoning  hand ; 
Tis  the  angel  I  meet  in  the  dim  Slunber  Land. 

O  turn  to  me  dearest;  thou  art,  O  believe. 
The  image  I  kneel  to  at  mom  and  at  eve. 
If  idolaters  never  a  heaven  may  see. 
No  heaven  is  mine,  for  I  worship  but  thee. 

But  thou  art  to  me  the  one  heaven  I  know, 
Sufficient  for  any  fond  mortal  below ; 
But,  oh,  when  the  earth  and  its  joys  are  all  by, 
To  what  other  world  will  my  spirit  then  fly  ? 


162 


And  Other  Poems 


The  fiends  from  their  prison  my  soul  would  expel 
For  loving  an  angel  of  heaven  too  well ; 
And  the  angels  forever  exclude  from  the  throne. 
For  naught  could  I  worship  except  thee  alone. 


SONG. 

WHEN  down  from  realms  of  peerless  blue 
The  vernal  suns  their  glances  throw, 
Forbid  the  blooms  to  wake  and  lift 

Their  faces  to  the  genial  glow ; 
Forbid,  by  day,  the  constant  gaze 

That  adoration  mute  declares, — 
By  night,  to  veil  their  vestal  brows 

And  breathe  their  incense-laden  prayers ; 
And  then  forbid  my  soul  to  be 
Entranced  and  worship  only  thee. 

When  winging  from  the  western  wave 

The  rising  winds  begin  to  blow, 
Forbid  the  bending  bough  to  sway. 

Or  fluttering  leaf  to  tremble  so ; 
Forbid  the  placid,  dreaming  lake 

Its  surging  billows  high  to  fling, 
Or  dimple  into  dainty  smiles 

When  lightly  swept  by  swallow's  wing; 
And  then  forbid  my  heart  to  thrill 
Or  throb  responsive  to  thy  will. 


4 


163 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


SONG. 

SHE'S  a  bright  little,  slight  little  maid ; 
But  her  hand  on  my  life-harp  when  laid 
Can  evoke  any  strain, 
Whether  rapture  or  pain, 
A  mortal  touch  ever  essayed. 


She's  a  lithe  little,  blithe  little  maid ; 
As  a  queen's  her  commands  are  obeyed : 

Nor  enslaved  though  I  be 

Would  I  wish  to  be  free. 
Or  deem  that  my  fetters  degrade. 

She's  a  sweet  little,  neat  little  maid; 
But  her  eye  from  the  dark  ambuscade 

Or  a  low-drooping  lash 

Such  an  arrow  can  flash 
As  no  soul  can  withstand  or  evade. 


She's  a  fair  little,  rare  little  maid. 

And  her  love  from  my  heart  cannot  fade ; 

Angels  offer  no  gain, 

Nor  the  fiends  threaten  pain. 
That  my  soul  from  its  love  can  dissuade. 


i64 


/9V 

LIGHTER 

VEIN 


.1 


And  Other  Poems 


HOW  JENNIE  CROSSED  THE  BORDER. 


<  <  T  'M  A  LITTLE  luckless  maiden 

^     Of  a  poor  benighted  land 
Where  the  Bird  of  Freedom  never 

Comes  its  pinions  to  expand. 
I  shall  break  my  galling  fetters, 

O'er  the  border  I  shall  flee 
For  the  full  exhilaration 

Of  the  equal  and  the  free." 
T5'.us  within  my  heart  I  reasoned, 

And  persuaded  Cousin  Joe 
To  the  land  of  light  and  freedom 

From  this  slavish  land  to  go. 


When  at  last  we  reached  the  border. 

There  we  saw  a  joyous  band 
Singing  loud  to  bid  us  welcome, 

"Hail,  Columbia,  happy  land." 
Now  they  tell  me  there's  sparkle 

In  my  merry  eyes  of  blue, 
On  my  cheek  the  flush  of  roses 

When  they're  sprinkled  with  the  dew. 
Though,  of  course,  I  don't  believe  them. 

Yet  my  Cousin  Joe  avers 


1 


!    I 


i&l 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


That  my  face  is  quite  enchanting 

When  it  peeps  from  fluffy  furs. 
So  I  donned  a  cosy  jacket 

And  a  jaunty  cap  of  seal, 
With  a  secret  resolution 

Hearts  of  freedom  there  to  steal. 
As  a  handsome  lad  approached  me 

In  a  coat  of  blue,  I  fear 
That  my  eyes  did  slightly  sparkle 

And  a  little  flush  appear. 
Oh,  but  how  my  pulses  fluttered 

When  he  beckoned  me  aside 
With  an  air  that  plah:ly  stated 

That  he  wouldn't  be  denied. 
"One  request  I  have,  dear  maiden, — 

Pray  refuse  me  not  and  scoff, — 
Give  me ^both  your  cap  and  jacket, 

They're  not  stamped  with  'Pribyloff.' 
Here  we  boast  of  perfect  freedom; 

Freely  therefore  I  declare, 
H  our  country  you  would  enter, 

Foreign  furs  you  must  not  wear." 
Then  I  felt  the  breath  of  freedom 

(It  was  ten  degrees  below) 
Standing  minus  cap  and  jacket 

On  the  platform  in  the  snow. 
For  he  gathered  up  my  garments. 

Turned  and  coldly  left  me  there. 
(Surely  when  they  bought  Alaska 

Home  they  brought  the  Russian  Bear.) 

i6S 


And  Other  Poems 


Then  the  group  around  the  station 

Sang  aloud  another  strain — 
Loud  and  long  they  sang  exultant 

And  we  caught  the  glad  refrain— 
"  'Tis  the  star-spangled  banner,  O  long  may  it  wave 
O'er  the  land  of  the  free  and  the  home  of  the  brave." 

Then  I  thought:  "I'm  yet  a  stranger; 

This  the  only  way  may  be 
That  this  people  have  of  making 

Others  ieel  completely  free. 
Cahnly  bear  the  slight  discomfort: 

Surgeons  often  cure  with  pain ; 
Custom  makes  us  hug  our  fetters ; 

Great  may  be  the  final  gain." 

Then  I  grew  quite  philanthropic: 

I  would  nurse  them  in  their  ills; 
So  I  donned  a  cap  and  apron 

And  a  dainty  cap  and  frills. 
Scarce  I  entered  on  my  duties 

When  arrived  Inspector  Byrne. 
I  was  summoned  to  his  presence 

And  he  gave  me  such  a  turn — 
For  he  turned  me  off  and  sent  me 

Packing  home  the  morrow  morn. 
Saying,  "We  allow  no  nurses, — 

None  except  the  native  bom." 

Worse  than  mine  was  Joe's  adventure. 
When  the  great  inspector  learned 

t6Q 


■"Wl 


Wk^^m^ 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


Joe  had  found  a  situation, 

He  was  summoned  too  and  "Bymed." 
Proud  the  great  inspector's  bearing, 

Noble  were  his  words  and  grand: 
"Pole,  Italian  or  Hungarian 

Shall  be  welcome  to  our  land; 
But  the  alien  from  the  border, 

Man  or  maiden  though  it  be, 
Never  shall  be  free  to  labor 

In  the  country  of  the  free." 

Loud  again  broke  in  the  music 

And  our  souls  were  thrilled  and  stirred, 
As  in  grand  triumphant  chorus 

Swelling  high  and  clear  we  heard : 
"My  comrtry,  'tis  of  thee. 
Sweet  land  of  liberty, 

Of  thee  I  sing. 
Land  where  my  fathers  died, 
Land  of  the  pilgrims'  pride, 
From  every  mountain  side 

Let  freedom  n  %." 


Joe  and  I  then  sta.ted  homeward 

(Which  we  couKhi't  well  avoid). 
But  somehow  upon  the  journey 

Both  were  more  than  overjoyed. 
"Well,"  said  I  to  Joe,  "hereafter 

Canada's  the  home  for  me. 
Where  they  don't  ang  much  of  freedom. 

But  where  men  are  truly  free ; 


And  Other  Poems 


Where  a  man  wears  what  he  pleases 

If  it's  good  in  heaven's  sight ; 
Where  a  man  is  free  to  labor, 

Or  do  anything  that's  right ; 
Where  the  laws  are  fair  and  equal, 

Justice  never  tarries  long. 
Strong  and  swift  to  guard  the  upright, 

Swift  and  sure  to  punish  wrong; 
Where  the  hand  of  legislator 

Never  sways  at  touch  of  gold 
While  our  private  rights  and  public 

Are  for  favor  bought  and  sold ; 
Where  a  theft  is  simply  stealing, 
If  the  theft  be  great  or  small. 
Though  it  be?r  the  seal  and  sanction 

Of  a  legislative  hall ; 
Where  a  mighty  corporation 

Cannot  buy  a  tyrant's  chain 
That  will  fetter  h<jnest  rivals 

In  the  hurried  race  for  gain; 
Where  the  struggling  rush  for  riches 
Has  not  strangled  heart  and  soul ; 
Where  the  claims  of  God  and  justice 

Still  are  felt  and  still  control ; 
Where  uprightness  is  an  honor 

And  dishonesty  a  blight ; 
Where  successful  craft  and  cunning 

Do  not  pass  for  truth  and  right. 
Therefore,  Joe,  the  Land  of  Maples 

Shall  in  future  be  my  home; 
While  a  roof  affords  me  shelter 
Never  shall  I  further  roam." 


'7/ 


ismm 


itr  ;i»,*»j 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


To  a  subject  patriotic, 

Though  my  words  are  most  sublime, 
Joe  will  never  give  attention 

Twenty  minutes  at  a  time. 
"Well,"  he  said,  "about  the  country 

You  and  I  can  both  agree ; 
There  I  own  a  little  cottage, — 

Won't  it  do  for  you  and  me?" 

Wasn't  that  a  mean  advantage? 

What  could  helpless  maiden  say  ? 
I'll  not  tell  you  all  the  story. 

But  I  did  not  say  him  nay. 
With  a  kind  of  roguish  twinkle 

'Neath  his  drooping  lid  concealed, 
Joe  remarked  that  every  bargain 

To  be  valid  must  be  sealed. 
"Certainly,"  said  I,  "the  parting 

With  my  furs  has  cost  me  pain ; 
I'll  be  only  too  delighted 

To  be  quickly  'sealed'  again." 

This  is  how  I  crossed  the  border 

To  a  free  and  happy  land. 
Look  beside  the  maples  yonder. 

There  you'll  see  our  cottage  stand. 
Though  of  course  I  don't  believe  him. 

Yet  my  husband,  Joe,  avers 
Someone's  face  is  quite  enchanting 

In  these  cosy,  fluffy  furs. 


172 


And  Other  Poems 


A  MORNING'S  ADVENTURES  WITH  AUTOS. 


"yWAS  a  morn  of  early  autumn 

1      When  the  leaves  were  faintly  brown 
That  I  harnessed  Maud  and  Katie 

For  a  pleasant  jaunt  to  town. 
Cousin  Jennie  sat  beside  me 

In  a  suit  of  latest  mode, 
Maud  and  Katie  beat  a  music 

On  the  smooth,  resounding  road. 
But  a  strange  unearthly  bellow 

Suddenly  beside  us  rung, 
And  we  by  the  startled  horses 

Almost  in  the  ditch  were  flung. 
By  us  flashed  an  automobile ; 

But  from  those  enthroned  therein 
Nothing  that  was  sublunary 

Might  a  moment's  notice  win. 
Nose  and  chin  v/ere  elevated 

As  they  swept  in  triumph  by, 
As  if  they  were  aviators 

Sailing  through  the  upper  sky. 
When,  half  choked  with  dust  and  blinded, 

I  had  calmed  the  frightened  pair, 
Jennie  leaned  to  me  and  whispered, 
"That's  the  automobile  air." 


17  S 


^^.^muLiTM'mii 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


When  again  our  team  was  pacing 

At  a  gentle,  steady  stride. 
Rushing  like  a  maddened  demon 

We  a  coming  car  descried. 
In  a  blur  of  dust  and  vapor, 

Puffing,  buzzing,  on  it  swept. 
Disregarding  all  our  signals 

They  the  middle  roadway  kept, 
And  with  fixed  and  stolid  faces 

They  the  rearing  team  surveyed. 
Wondering  why  ,we  had  presumption 

Their  dominion  to  invade. 
Such  a  glance  might  Jove  Olympic 

To  a  crawling  earthworm  cast 
If  it  dared  to  turn  and  wriggle 

While  he  crushed  it  as  he  passed. 
As  they  vanished  in  the  distance. 

When  again  had  cleared  the  air, 
Jennie  leaned  to  me  and  whispered, 
"That's  the  automobile  stare." 

Soon,  as  we  a  hill  ascended. 

On  a  narrow  road  and  steep. 
Came  a  car  behind  approaching. 

Struggling  hard  and  panting  deep. 
Since  there  wasn't  room  to  pass  us 

And  we  couldn't  reach  the  top. 
They  were  forced  to  slow  their  engine 
■     And,  through  loss  of  speed,  to  stop. 
While  they  yanked  and  cranked  to  start  it, 

We  proceeded  on  our  way. 


^7* 


And  Other  Poems 


Oft  a  single  glance  betokens 

More  than  language  can  convey ; 
And  if  glance  could  scorch  and  wither 

As  a  burning  furnace  blast, 
By  their  glance  we  had  been  shriveled 

When  again  they  glided  past. 
We  had  too  much  self-composure 

For  their  angry  look  to  care ; 
Jennie  merely  leaned  and  whispered, 

"That's  the  automobile  glare." 

Gaily  then  we  trotted  onward 

Till  the  town  at  last  we  neared, 
When  a  busy  group  before  us 

Gathered  round  a  car  appeared. 
Ladies  sat  as  patient  martyrs 

On  the  roadside  bank  of  green 
Whik  their  partners,  grim  and  dusty. 

Tinkered  at  the  stalled  machine. 
One  was  peering  at  the  spark-plug, 

One  the  battery  overhauled. 
One  with  pincers,  wrench  and  hammer 

Underneath  the  car  had  crawled. 
They  with  bruised  and  blackened  fingers 

Tested  wire  and  tightened  screw. 
While,  forgetful  of  the  ladies, 

Hot  and  fast  the  curses  flew. 
As  we  trotted  by  and  left  them 

Loading  sulphur  on  the  air, 
Jennie  leaned  again  and  whispered, 

"That's  the  automobile  swear." 


175 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


A  STIRRING  SCENE. 

AUTUMN  hushed  the  world  to  silence 
While  September  night  and  mom 
Flung  a  haze  of  goldpn  glory 

On  the  emerald  seas  of  com. 
Streamlets  crept  with  drowsy  murmur 

Mazy  dell  and  meadow  through ; 
Fairy  fingers  nightly  penciled 

Forest  leaf  with  dainty  hue. 
Straggling  bees  from  blooms  belated 

Added  to  their  amber  hoard ; 
Mellow  sunbeams  wines  and  sweetness 
In  the  flushing  apple  stored. 

Evening's  hush  lay  on  the  meadows ; 

Clacking  doors  and  ringing  calls 
Told  where  lads  their  weary  horses 

Guided  to  their  littered  stalls. 
Now,  the  muttered  low  of  cattle 

Plodding  home  in  straggling  train ; 
Now,  the  merry  voice  of  milkmaid 

Faintly  echoed  down  the  lane. 

But  where  yonder  blushing  maples 
Half  the  ample  house  conceal, 

Katie  Lee  stands  making  porridge 
Of  the  golden  Indian  meal. 


176 


And  Other  Poems 


Katit,  queen  of  riiral  beauties  ;— 

Katie,  in  whose  dreamy  eye 
Brimming  worlds  of  lurking  niisciiief 

'Neath  her  drooping  lashes  lie ; 

Katie  of  the  wavy  tresses 

Floating  down  like  twilight  haze, 
.  Tangling  hearts  in  stronger  meshes 

Than  the  artful  hunter  lays ; — 
Katie  of  the  dainty  dimples 

Faint  by  fairy  touch  impressed  ;— 
Katie  of  the  heart  the  truest 

Beating  in  the  human  breast. 

As  from  Katie's  busy  fingers 

Fell  the  streaming  sands  of  gold, 
It  just  happened  Willie  Watson 

Down  the  grassy  pathway  strolled 
To  the  quiet  room  and,  pausing. 

Leaned  against  the  open  door. 
(Katie  might,  but  would  not  tell  you 

This  "just  happened"  oft  before.) 

Scarce  a  flash  of  recognition 

Katie  to  the  caller  threw, 
But  perhaps  her  busy  fingers 

Just  a  little  faster  flew. 
Yet  a  form  so  lithe  and  stalwart, 

Brow  and  eyes  so  frank  and  clear. 
Might  e'en  to  a  timid  maiden 

Worth  a  stolen  glance  appear. 


'77 


MICIOCOfY   HSOIUTION   TBT  CHART 

(ANSI  and  ISO  TtST  CHART  No.  2) 


^  APPLIED  IIVHGE    In 

^^  1653  Eait   Main   Street 

«^=  RochMter.   New  roffc        14609       USA 

S^  (7 1 6)  WS  -  03O0  -  Phone 

^S  (^'C)  2M-5969  -Fox 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


Gazing  at  the  living  picture 

As  the  gloaming  shadows  fell, 
Silence  closed  his  lips  and  held  him 

Fettered  by  a  magic  spell. 
Passing  strange  that  Willie  Watson, 

Gayest  lad  in  home  or  field, 
First  in  merriment  or  jesting, 

Felt  his  lips  by  silence  sealed ! 

Still  her  lashes  were  unlifted. 

Still  she  uttered  not  a  word. 
But  the  seething,  bubbling  porridge 

With  increasing  vigor  stirred. 
Half  indignant,  half  reproachful, 

Willi?  murmured  with  a  sigh, 
"Katie,;so  that  pot  of  porridge 

More  attractive  seems  than  I  ?" 
"Yes,"  the  maid  replied  in  accents 

Sweet  as  tinkling  waterdrops, 
"This  is  very  entertaining: 

This  not  only  sighs  but  pops." 

Once  again  'tis  mild  September ; 

Passing  months  have  swiftly  flown ; 
Yonder's  Katie  stirring  porridge 

In  a  cottage  of  her  own. 


'78 


TT^ 


And  Other  Poems 


THE  LETTER. 

PERUSING  this  letter  I  fancy 
Her  low,  winning  tones  I  can  hear ; 
The  exquisite  snow  of  its  pages 
I  deem  like  her  bosom  sincere. 

Round  her  brow,  of  a  beauty  immortal. 
As  she  leant  loving  words  to  indite, 

Her  dark,  loosened  locks  may  have  floated 
Like  shadowing  mists  of  the  night. 

Here,  also,  her  eyes  must  have  rested, 
Whose  soul-melting  ardor  divine 

Can  thrill  all  the  depths  of  my  being 
When  they  flash  but  a  glance  into  mine. 

When  I  think  how  her  dear,  dainty  fingers 
The  pen  have  enclasped,  or  would  press 

The  paper  with  soft  fairy  touches, 
I  long  for  that  clasp  and  caress. 

When  I  think  that,  when  written,  the  maiden 

To  seal  it  would  possibly  deign 
To  touch  with  her  lips  the  enclosure, 

I  wish, — but  all  wishes  are  vain. 


I    ! 


I7Q 


i 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


THE  YANTIC. 

LITTLE  Canada,  my  dear,  won't  you  kindly  lend 
an  ear 
To  your  neighbor,  Uncle  Sam  ?  And  a  loving  one  I  am ; 
And  you  know  I  love  you  more 

Than  a  daughter ! 
I'm  a  mighty  clever  one!    I'm  the  bravest  'neath  the 

sun! 
I'm  Achilles, — just  about, — if  you  reckon  on  my  shout  I 
But  you'll  kindly  let  me  stand  with  my  feet  on  solid 

land, 
As  I'm  shaky  when  I  go 
On  the  water. 

I  have  built  a  mighty  boat,  but  the  tarnal  thing  won't 

float. 
If  I  venture  on  the  sea,  where  a  vessel  ought  to  be, 
It's  surprising  how  she  makes 
A  commotion. 

For  she'll  bump  ag.'iinst  the  ground,  or  cavort  and  roll 

around, 
Like  that  barrel  boat,  away  in  your  own  Toronto  bay, 
Till  I  tremble  in  my  bones  lest  I  go  to  Davy  Jones 
If  I  venture  any  more 

On  the  ocean. 


t8o 


And  Other  Poems 


If  in  harbor  she  remains,  she  will  break  her  anchor 
chains, 

And  will  dash  against  the  pier,  or  among  the  vessels 

near, — 
For  destruction,  as  you  know. 

Is  her  mission. 
When  the  other  ships  have  fled,  she  will  bang  herself 

instead 
Upon  any  handy  rocks.    As  I  really  haven't  docks 

wu      %"*!*"  '""'■^  ^"^''''  '•'^  "^""y  «o  to-Halifax, 
Where  I  hope  they'll  soon  improve 

Her  condition. 

If  I  had  her  on  the  shore,  then  she'd  trouble  never 
more ; 

°"  Wad?'''''  *°""  '  ''*''"'^'  ''"''  ^'°^'  "^  ''''"'"8 
While  I  everlastingly 

Made  my  jaw  go. 
Now,  I  really  think  I  could  make  a  man-of-war  of 

wood. 
Like  that  painted  thing  I  had  which  I  called  an  ironclad 
(By  the  way.  you  saw  it  there  when  you  came  to  mv 
a — Fair),  ' 

Like  that  terror,  Illinois, 

At  Chicago. 

But  I  have  a  wooden  brig,  that  is  not  so  tamal  big 
.-neither  carries  iron  plate  quite  enough  to  sink  her 
straight — 


I 


n 


iSr 


ll 


A  Blossom  oj  the  Sea 


As  I  said,  I  have  a  brig 

Called  the  Yantic. 
Now,  right  up  through  your  "canawl"  mayn't  I  the 

vessel  haul? 
I'll  just  take  her  up  and  keep  where  the  water  isn't 

deep. 
When  I've  practised  there  my  trade,  till  no  longer  I'm 

afraid. 
Then  perhaps  I'll  try  again 
The  Atlantic. 


iSa 


mt* 


And  Other  Poems 


JONATHAN  AND  1. 

{Not  Jonathan  an  J  David. ) 


JONATHAN  and  I  are  neighbors. 
And  our  farms  lie  side  by  side, 
Mine  extending  to  the  northward, 
His  to  southward  sloping  wide. 
These  from  savage  wildernesses 

Years  ago  our  father  won, 
Fenced  them  safely  an<I  aecompHshed 
All  a  father  should  have  done. 

I  am  yet  a  younger  brother 

Farming  in  my  father's  name; 
But  I  sow  whatever  suits  me 

And  the  harvest  fully  claim. 
Once  he  did  the  same ;  but  wishing 

Owner  of  his  farm  to  be, 
On  refusal  he  grew  angry. 

Sulked  and  ivouldn't  take  his  tea. 
Then  he  made  it  so  unpleasant, 

For  he  had  defiant  groivn, 
That  for  sake  of  family  concord 

He  received  it  as  his  own. 
This  success,  I  think,  has  taught  hira 

To  assume  presumptuous  airs. 


'83 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


For  he  now  is  interfering 

With  his  older  friends'  affairs. 
Cio  he  would  and  dine  with  Cuba, 

Much  against  her  mother's  will; 
Her  bananas  and  tobacco 

Suit  his  stomach  rather  ill. 
True,  he  won  the  dusky  maiden. 

With  her  rather  vulgar  ways ; 
Took  with  her  a  "philopena,"* 

And  he  now  the  forfeit  pays. 


Jonathan  will  let  his  children 

Come  at  will  and  play  with  mine ; 
Yet  if  mine  his  lands  but  enter 

He  escorts  them  to  the  line. 
His  may  search  my  lands  and,  delving, 

Bear  away  their  precious  gains ; 
Mine  from  his  may  seek  no  treasure. 

For  his  own  he  all  retains. 
Jonathan  would  cross  and  freely 

Take  the  timber  from  my  lant'  ; 
But  if  I  prepare  and  bring  it 

He  a  heavy  toll  demands. 
I  to  eastward  have  a  fishpond; 

On  the  fish  he  casts  his  eye, 
And  would  come  and  freely  hook  them. 

Though  unwilling  them  to  buy. 
He  to  westward  has  an  island 

Where  the  furry  seals  ab  >und, 

•The  Philippines. 


'84 


And  Other  Poems 


But  he  seeks  to  hinder  hunting 
For  a  hundred  miles  around. 

And,  in  fact,  although  in  friendship 
Many  proffers  I  have  made, 

Yet,  except  at  an  advantage, 
With  me  he  will  never  trade. 

Both  have  distant  back-lots:  neither 

Knows  exactly  where's  the  line, 
But  he  claims  the  only  roadway 

Leading  to  those  lands  of  mine. 
I  to  Jonathan  suggested, 

After  converse  vainly  spent, 
We  should  leave  it  to  a  neighbor. 

But  to  this  he'll  not  assent. 
"Come,"  said  I,  "now  toss  up  even  " 

"Very  well,"  he  said.    "Now  choose,' 
VVmkmg  as  he  tossed  the  copper ; 

"Heads.  I  win,  and  tails,  you  lo.e." 
I  have  more  than  grave  suspicion 

Thus  he  hinders  that  he  may 
Toll  and  share  the  precious  products 
Of  my  acres  far  away. 

Though  upon  his  ample  acres 
Jonathan  has  wealthy  grown, 

I  can  too  be  independent, 
Live  and  flourish  on  my  own. 

Just  across  the  stretch  of  water 
In  his  castle  father  dwells. 


'Ss 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


And  I  draw  to  him  the  closer 

As  my  neighlwrs  more  repels. 
Jonathan  has  often  hinted 

We  no  longer  should  he  two; 
If  successful,  he  must  practise 

Some  more  winning  way  to  woo. 
I  shall  neither  vex  nor  coax  him, 

I  shall  never  kneel,  but  stand. 
Not  for  union,  but  for  friendship, 

Ready  with  an  equal's  hand. 


t86 


^nd  Other  Poems 


JOHN  B'  LL  AND  SON  SAM. 

■\XrELL,  my  Sammy,  so  I  find 
rv  You  have  fully  set  your  mind 
On  a  tussle  with  this  naughty  Spanish  lad. 
Who  too  iong  has  had  abo<le 
In  the  house  across  the  road 

Where  they  say  his  conduct's  everything  thafs  bad. 
For  a  greedy  hand  he'il  set 
Upon  all  his  servants  get; 

And  if  any  of  them  venture  to  resist 
He  regards  nor  age  nor  sex. 
Nor  of  consequences  recks, 
But  they  feel  the  force  and  f-    v  cf  his  fist. 

When  remonstrances  you  made, 
To  the  sufTering  lent  your  aid 
Then^ou  say  he  smashed  a;d  sank  your  boat  for 

'Twas  a  scurvy  trick,  if  true; 
And,  my  lad,  if  I  were  you 

I  should.-but  of  course  it's  very  wrong  to  fight. 
I'm  a  very  peaceful  man, 
And  I  live  so  wi.en  I  can, 

But  I  keep  my  hand  in  practice  ^ll  the  .ame- 
Those  that  most  a  fight  desire 


187 


w 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


Oft  will  gracefully  retire 
When  they  find  one  ready  waiting  for  the  game. 

I  am  more  a  man  of  peace 

As  the  weight  of  years  increase, 

But  I've  done  a  bit  of  fighting  in  my  time. 
With  the  father  of  this  lad 
Many  scrimmages  I  had, 

And  I  banged  him  in  the  Channel  in  his  prime. 

He  is  of  a  cruel  race ; 

By  a  trail  of  blood  you'll  trac- 

Every  \   thway  that  his  feet  have  ever  trod. 
Here  he  robbed  in  days  of  old. 
Plundered  princes  of  their  gold, 

Blighting  all  the  country  as  a  vengeful  go.l. 

Bang  him  as  I  banged  him,  son ; 
You  can  do  as  I  have  done ; 

You  are  treading  closely  in  your  father's  path : 
You've  an  arm  that's  quick  and  strong. 
You've  a  heart  that  hates  a  wrong. 

And  such  tyranny  awakens  all  your  wrath. 

You  can  strike  a  sturdy  blow, 
As  your  father  learned  to  know, 

And  your  brethren  to  the  same  can  testify. 
In  domestic  brawls,  my  son. 
You  have  some  distinction  won. 

But  with  strangers  now  the  issue  you  must  try. 

t88 


And  Other  Poems 


When  the  fight  you  once  begin, 
Fight  with  fury  and  to  win ; 

Talte  advice  from  one  that's  found  his  method  sound  • 
Bang  him  quick  and  bang  him  hard 
Till  his  heels  fly  heavenward 

And  his  ugly  head  goes  bumping  on  the  ground. 

Thump  him  liard  between  the  eyes ; 
And  before  you  let  him  rise 

Make  him  promise  soon  the  region  to  forsake. 
Lick  the  rascal  right  away; 
After  licking,  make  him  pay 

For  the  trouble  )ou  have  been  obliged  to  take. 

With  your  father's  blessing     >, 
Trounce  again  our  ancient  foe, 

Let  us  never  see  his  hateful  face  again. 
1 11  be  standing  somewhere  near 
So  that  none  may  interfere 

Till  youVe  bounced  him  bag  and  baggage  back  to 


II 


l&Q 


I 


/I 
11 


;:H 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


GOLFING  ON  THE  GREEN. 


WHEN  the  winter  snows  have  vanished 
From  the  valley  and  the  hill, 
When  the  throbbing  pulse  of  nature 

Sends  through  every  heart  a  thrill, 
When  the  maple  leaflets  peeping 

From  their  winter  homes  of  brown 
Wave  their  tiny  flags  to  welcome 

Spring  from  heaven  coming  down. 
When  the  tender  blades  upspringing 

On  the  meadow  bare  are  seen, 
Then  the  bag  of  clubs  we  shoulder 

And  go  golfing  on  the  green. 

Life  and  vigor  come  to  muscle 

From  the  "driver"  swinging  free ; 
There's  elation  in  the  "gutta" 

As  it  rushes  from  the  "tee;" 
To  the  step  there  comes  a  lightness 

And  a  brightness  in  the  eyes. 
He  that  never  ceases  golfing 

Is  the  man  who'll  never  die; 
For  to  breathe  the  breezy  freshness 

That  the  swelling  bosom  fills 
Is  a  quite  sufficient  tonic 

For  the  worst  of  human  ills. 


/<K> 


And  Other  Poems 


You  may  play  it  in  your  boyhood, 

You  may  play  it  when  you're  old 
You  may  play  it  in  the  tropics, 

You  may  play  it  where  it's  cold  ■ 
As  regards  the  world  above  us 

I  may  truthfully  declare 
That  I  never  heard  it  stated 

That  they  do  not  play  it  there, 
am  I  m  certain  when  our  captain 

In  that  other  world  we  see 
He'll  be  cli;:ging  to  his  driver 
Hunting  sand  to  make  a  "tee." 

Ye  that  learn  the  game  of  golfing 

Learn  for  life  some  lessons  too- 
Learn  to  take  its  fronting  ••hazards" 

With  a  steady  stroke  and  true; 
Take  its  "bunkers"  with  composure  • 

Do  not  fret  when  overthrown  • 
When  you  count  your  comrade's  errors 

Learn  as  well  to  count  your  own  • 
Learn  to  trust  a  comrade's  honor. 

And  be  honest  in  your  play  ; 
Never  stoop  to  put  a  "stymie"' 

In  a  struggling  brother's  way. 

Ye  that  love  the  game  of  golfing 
Nor  its  pleasures  can  forsake, 

In  this  winding  earthly  journey 
Ponder  well  the  path  you  take 


/a/ 


'f 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


IV! 


If  your  way  be  ever  upward, 

As  you  ever  higher  rise, 
There  a  pleasant  "course"  awaits  you 

On  a  "green"  beyond  the  skies. 
There  are  fairer  hills  and  meadows 

Than  the  eye  has  ever  seen ; — 
But  among  the  smoke  and  sulphur 

There's  no  golfing  on  the  green. 


192 


iwii  ■■^■i 


And  Other  Poems 


ULYSSES. 

)^  ETHOUGHT  I  sat  upon  the  craggy  shore 
i  »  lOf  Ithaca,  when  straying  on  the  beach 
Came  one  in  garb  of  ages  long  ago, 
With  ample  shoulders  broad  and  bent  with  toil, 
Whose  brown  and  weather-beaten  face  betrayed 
Long  strife  with  storm  and  wind,  and  where  the  breeze 
Parted  his  robe  were  many  seamed  scars. 
A  Viking  of  the  North  he  might  have  been, 
A  Spanish  rover  of  the  western  main, 
A  king  returned  from  those  far  early  days 
When  martial  fame  was  virtue's  only  meed. 
When  guile  and  treachery  were  arts  of  war 
And  pity  to  a  fallen  foe  unknown. 
When  strangers  all  were  foes,  and  battle  just 
Whenever  battle  promised  hope  of  gain. 

He  leaned  against  a  shattered,  fallen  rock 
And  told  his  tale,  at  times  with  voice  subdued 
And  falling  tears,  at  times  with  frenzied  wrath 
And  all  the  lust  of  battle  in  his  eye : 

"I  stood  upon  the  shores  of  fallen  Troy, 
Hard  beaten  by  the  tread  of  many  feet, 
Where  dragging  down  their  dusky-bosomed  ships 
My  eager  comrades  labored  zealously. 


l<)3 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


Weary  with  war  and  sick  with  thoughts  of  home. 

At  last  in  rocking  ships,  in  order  set, 

With  oar  and  sail  we  cleft  the  hoary  sea. 

Each  glad  bark  straining  to  the  distant  west. 

Where  iay  the  little  barren,  rocky  isle. 

The  lonely  hearth,  and  lonely  child  and  wife. 


"Athwart  our  course  uprose  a  southern  blast 
And  swept  our  barks  to  far  Ciconian  land. 
The  weak  are  lawful  prize ;  for  who  by  craft 
Or  strength  devises  not  a  meet  defense, 
Or  lacks  god-givert  courage,  needs  must  be 
The  slave  of  better  men.    We  disembarked. 
Greedy  for  gain  and  captive  fair  and  spoil 
To  fill  our  long-nti^lected  island  home. 
Not  to  return  at  la^:t  with  barren  hands. 
We  fell  upon  the  ill-defended  town 
And  bore  its  wealth  and  shrieking  dames  away. 
Advancing  from  the  inland  warriors  came. 
As  many  as  are  forest  leaves  in  spring. 
Well  skilled  to  battle  in  the  brazen  car. 
From  dawn  to  dusky  eve  the  armor  clashed ; 
Then  beaten,  we  forsook  the  bitter  fray. 
We  left  our  dead,  thrice  calling  each  in  vain. 
Regained  our  waiting  barks  and  southward  fled. 

"Then  frowning  Jove  with  '-ist  embattled  clouds 
Palled  earth  and  sea  with  thickest  glooms  of  night, 
And  smote  and  rent  the  sails  with  whirlwind  wrath. 
Nine  days  he  drove  us  o'er  the  dismal  deep, 

IQ4 


ssuaisst 


And  Other  Poems 


When  longing  eyes  discerned  the  Lotos  Land. 

Whose  meads  were  grateful  to  our  wearied  limbs 

Anxious  to  seek  the  homes  of  mortal  men 

I  sent  along  the  shore  a  chosen  band 

Who  foun.l  a  people  eating  flowery  food 

Of  war  unmindful,  plotting  ill  to  none 

Freely  they  gave  them  of  their  honeyed  blooms 

And  straight  forgotten  were  the  leader's  best 

Desire  of  home,  and  thought  of  swift  return  ' 

Content  they  rested,  eating  lotos  fruit. 

Until  L  with  a  father's  yearning  heart 

Regardless  of  their  tears  and  wailings  lou.l 

Bore  oflf  and  bound  them  in  my  benche.l  ships 

idl  drugge..  and  dea.lened  hearts  should  beat  again 

And  torpid  bosoms  warm  with  love  of  home. 

"Again  we  beat  the  deep  to  hoary  foam 
And  reached  a  laiul  of  vales  and  mountains  vast, 
VV  ithin  whose  lofty  caverns  giants  dwell 
Who  neither  sow  nor  till,  but  garner  free 
Whatever  grain  the  bounteous  vales  produce 
And  press  their  purple  wines  from  clusters  rich 
Ihat  Jove  has  ripened  with  his  sun  and  shower 
In  night  and  gloom  we  landed  on  the  shore 
But  at  the  touch  of  rosy-fingered  Dawn 
The  shadows  fled.    Afar  we  heard  the  bleat 
Of  sheep  and  goat  and  voice  of  giant  men, 
Huge,  lawless,  and  regardless  of  the  gods.  ' 

"One  near  his  cave  we  saw,  vast  as  some  cliflf 
That  overpeers  his  fellow  mountain  peaks; 


iQS 


A 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


m 


His  staff  a  lofty  fir,  of  branches  bared, 

Snatched  from  the  springing  grove  beside  his  path. 

Upon  a  grassy  ledge  he  lay  reclined 

And  slept  unmindful  of  his  countless  flocks. 

Eager  a  gift  of  friendship  to  obtain. 

Twelve  worthy  comrades  from  the  ship  I  chose 

And  in  the  cave  awaited  his  return. 

At  eve  he  came  and  crashed  upon  the  earth 

His  faggots  dry,  and  cared  for  all  his  flocks. 

Then  barred  secure  the  door  with  massive  rock. 

In  terror  at  the  mdnster  huge  and  fierce 

To  far  recesses  of  the  cave  we  fled. 

But  when  the  faggots  blazed,  regarding  not 

The  rights  of  strangers,  nor  the  gods  on  whom 

We  called,  he  rushing  came,  and  clutching  twain 

He  dashed  them  fiercely  on  the  rocky  hearth. 

Then  like  a  lion,  mountain-born,  he  fed. 

Rending  their  tender  limbs  with  mouthings  loud. 

Till  gorged  at  last  he  slept  among  his  sheep. 

But  when  at  mom,  and  yet  again  at  eve. 

The  gre-'dy  giant  slew  his  shrinking  prey, 

With  guile  we  gave  him  soul-subduing  wine; 

And  while  he  lay  supine  in  drunken  sleep 

We  pierced  with  kindled  bar  his  cruel  eye. 

Then  loud  the  monster  bellowed  in  his  pain 

And  roared  till  all  the  mighty  cavern  rang 

And  woke  the  echoes  of  the  sleeping  crags. 

When  Morning  touched  the  ruddy  hills  with  light 

He  moved  the  barrier  for  his  bleating  flocks. 

And,  though  he  at  the  cavern  entrance  stood 

tgt 


And  Other  Poems 


And  blindly  groped  with  wide-extended  hands, 
We  fled  concealed  among  his  fleecy  sheep, 
The  fattest  of  his  flock  we  drove  away. 
Regained  our  waiting  bark;  and,  when' I  thought 
We  rode  secure  the  heaving  deep,  I  mocked 
The  sightless  monster.    He  with  frenzy  wild 
Broke  oflf  the  beetling  crags  and  hurled  them  high 
And  far,  and  sought  to  crush  us  in  our  ships 
Or  whelm  us  in  the  tumult  of  the  waves 
But  foiled,  he  raised  his  hands  and  sightless  eve 
To  heav'n  and  prayed  that  we  might  never  reach 
Our  native  isle,  or  I  alone  and  late  should  come 
To  troubled  home.    And  Neptune  heard  his  prayer 
J  hus  we  escaped,  our  comrades'  loss  avenged 
But  Neptune's  never-dying  wrath  aroused 
In  blmding  thus  his  son.    So  hard  it  is 
For  man  to  live  and  not  offend  the  gods. 

"Sadly  and  gladly  onward  then  we  sailed 
And  reached  the  floating  isle  of  Eolus, 
The  lord  of  winds.    He  pent  the  adverse  blasts 
Within  a  sack  entrusted  to  my  care, 
And  gave  a  gentle  breeze  to  bear  us' home 
Nine  days  we  sailed.    We  saw  our  native  land 
Loom  in  the  distance,  when,  o'ercome  with  toil 
I  dropped  the  rudder.    Sleep  relaxed  my  soul.  ' 
Ihen  my  companions  in  their  greed  for  gold 
Deeming  that  I  had  treasure  hid  therein 
Unloosed  the  leathern  sack.    The  adverse  blasts 
Escaped  and  swept  us  far  from  native  land 


'07 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


O  would  the  boisterous  wave  had  gulfed  me  ilecp 
Ere  I  became  the  guide  to  foolish  men ! 


"Six  days  we  sailed  both  day  and  night,  and  came 

To  Laestrygonian  land.    Here  also  dwelt 

A  giant  brood,  who  slew  and  then  devoured 

My  herald,  crushed  my  ships  with  whirling  rocks. 

And  bore  my  men  away,  as  spitted  fish. 

To  feast  upon  them  in  the  palace  halls. 

My  ship,  the  most  femote,  alone  escaped. 

Sadly  we  sailed  and  left  behind,  as  prey 

For  maws  of  giants,  comrades  dear,  v/ho  braved 

The  tempest  and  the  tossing  swell,  nor  found 

A  deep  though  never-resting  grave ;  who  fought 

With  gods  and  heroes  on  the  plains  of  Troy, 

Nor  hft  their  corses  in  its  bloody  dust. 

O  who  can  know  the  purpose  of  the  gods, 

Avoid  their  anger  or  appease  their  wrath? 

"Afar  we  sailed  to  Circe's  sylvan  isle, 

A  fair-haired  goddess,  daughter  of  the  Sun, 

Who  dwelt  amid  a  grove  in  polished  halls. 

Adroit  she  was  to  weave  the  graceful  web 

While  chanting  notes  of  soul-alluring  song; 

Or  tame  the  lion  and  the  mountain  wolf 

And  make  them  crouch  and  fawn  as  playful  hounds 

Expert  she  was,  with  drugged  and  honeyed  wine 

And  touch  of  magic  wand,  fair,  godlike  men 

To  change  to  groveling  swine,  that  yet  retained. 

Though  couched  in  sty,  the  mind  and  thought  of  men. 

tgS 


And  Other  Poems 


But  when  the  hall  of  Circe  I  approached. 
The  golden-wanded  Hermes  lighted  nigh 
And  gave  me  moly,  black  in  root,  but  white 
In  flower.    Unharmed  I  drank  the  honeyed  wine 
Unchanged  I  stood  when  touched  with  magic  wand 
Amazed  that  all  her  potent  charms  were  vain,       ' 
^he  kindly  grew,  and  gave  me  goodly  robes, 
And  placed  me  on  a  silver-studded  throne 
Restored  my  comrades,  gave  them  cloaks  of  wool 
With  pleasant  viands,  rich  and  ruddy  wine. 

"But  Circe,  comely,  graceful  and  divine, 

Had  other  subtle  charms  and  magic  wiles 

That  even  moly  could  not  counteract. 

Her  beauty  wove  a  spell  about  my  heart 

Her  songs  were  soothing  to  my  saddened  soul 

Her  voice  had  music  in  its  whispered  tone 

Her  hand  more  magic  than  her  fairy  wand 

Forgetful  of  my  home  and  native  land, 

On  plea  of  weariness  and  needed  rest 

Enchanted  thus  I  dallied  there  a  year 

Whose  hasting  moons  too  swiftly  waxed  and  waned, 

Regaled  with  dainty  food  and  luscious  wines 

Withm  her  palace  halls  of  polished  stone. 

"Again  we  launched  the  ship  and  set  our  sails 
And  reached,  at  fioating  ocean's  farthest  verge 
The  dark  Cimmerian  Land,  where  shadows  brood 
And  glooms  of  endless  night,  where  sun  at  morn 
At  noon,  nor  yet  again  at  evening,  sends  a  ray 
i-  o  pierce  the  chaos  of  eternal  dark 


/QO 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


1   ;< 


Where  lie  the  gates  of  sombre  Erebus 

And  all  the  chambers  of  the  cheerless  dead. 

We  hither  came  in  quest  of  prophet  old 

To  read  the  dark  decrees  of  rigid  Fate 

And  give  us  knowledge  of  the  homeward  way. 

Libations  due  of  honey,  wine  and  meal 

We  straightway  made.    I  slew  the  black-fleeced  sheep, 

Whose  dark  blood  into  hollow  trench  I  poured, 

Invoking  Pluto  and  Persephone, 

The  rulers  of  the  joyless  Land  of  Death. 

In  throngs  the  strengthless  shadows  of  the  dead 

Approached  and  sought  to  quaflf  the  flowing  blood; 

And  each  that  quaffed  regained  his  mortal  speech. 

But  foremost  of  the  ghostly  legions  came 

Tiresias,  a  Theban  prophet  old. 

Who  quickly  bowed  him  at  the  trench  and  drank. 

And  when  I  questioned  of  my  fate  he  said : 

'Thou  shall,  though  late,  in  safety  yet  return. 

But  greatly  suffer  on  the  tossing  seas 

From  wrath  of  Neptune  for  his  blinded  son. 

Full  sorely  grieved  is  fair  Penelope 

By  haughty  suitors  feasting  in  her  hall, 

Demanding  her,  a  sad,  unwilling  bride. 

Her  wrongs  thou  shalt  in  bloody  wrath  avenge 

With  bitter  shaft  and  ruthless  brazen  spear. 

Then  shalt  thou  dwell  at  inland  palace,  far 

Removed  from  heaving  billows  of  the  sea; 

And  after  many  years,  in  honored  age 

Among  a  people  happy  made  by  thee, 

Shalt  calmly  meet  the  gentle  call  of  Death 

zoo 


And  Other  Poems 


As  one  who  after  day  of  la'ior  long 

At  evening  sinks  to  rest  ai.  .  dreamless  sleep ' 

He  vanished.    Then,  with  anxious,  loving  glance 

That  beamed  with  earthly  tenderness  and  love 

My  mother  came  with  hasting  steps  and  drank. ' 

And  when  I  asked  of  home  she  sadly  said  • 

Thy  wife  is  ever  faithful.    As  she  plies 

The  web  among  her  maidens,  night  and  day, 

Her  eyes  at  thy  delay  are  wet  with  tears. 

Thy  father,  bowing  low  in  grief  for  thee, 

By  growing  age  enfeebled,  nightly  lies 

Neglected,  clad  in  filthy,  ragged  robes,— 

In  winter,  in  the  dust  beside  the  fire. 

In  summer,  in  the  leaves  amid  the  vines, 

Far  from  the  palace  of  his  absent  son. 

And  I,  not  smitten  by  some  slow  disease. 

Not  by  Diana's  gentle  arrow  slain. 

But  lonely,  ever  waiting  thee  in  vain. 

From  care,  regret  and  love  of  thee  have  come 

To  wander  in  the  cheerless  realms  of  Death.' 

Her  low  and  plaintive  tone,  her  pallid  face 

Awoke  the  dormant  mem'ries  of  my  heart. 

Thrice  I  essayed  her  spirit  to  embrace. 

But  thrice  it  flitted  from  my  clasping  arms 

Like  passing  shadow  or  a  fleeting  dream. 

With  tender,  mournful  eyes  she  backward  glanced. 

And,  with  a  sigh  as  sad  as  sobbing  wind 

That  wails  and  moans  on  lonely  winter  night. 

She  shrank  away  among  the  ghostly  throng.' 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


"I  saw  the  spirits  of  the  dames  of  old, 
Mothers  of  heroes,  brides  of  gods  and  men : 
Alcmene,  Leda,  Ariadne  fair, 
And  all  that  won  on  earth  immortal  names. 
Some,  weeping,  told  their  many  grievous  woes ; 
Some  boasted  of  the  prowess  of  their  suns, 
The  blameless  offspring  of  the  mighty  gods. 

"Then  came  my  comrades  that  iiad  foiiglit  at  Troy. 
Though  all  are  joyless  in  the  realms  of  shade. 
Saddest  of  souls  thslt  roam  the  meads  of  Death 
Came  Agamemnon,  who,  with  shrill  lament 
And  dropping  tears,  bewailed  his  piteous  fate : 
By  Clytemnestra  slain,  has  wedded  wife— 
A  bitter  welcome  home  from  years  of  war ; 
Sent  from  the  genial  sun  and  blooming  earth. 
Before  the  term  of  life's  allotted  days. 
With  pallid  ghosts  and  incorporeal  shapes 
To  tread  the  sunless  pathways  of  the  dead. 

"Then  swift  Achilles  and  Patroclus  came. 
Comrades  in  life,  companions  too  in  death. 
But  when  I  marked  Achilles'  clouded  brow. 
With  winged  words  the  hero  I  addressed: 
'Why  art  thou  sad  ?    None  lived  so  blest  as  thou, 
Nor  will  there  be  in  after  time  thy  peer. 
None  equaled  thee  upon  the  plains  of  Troy 
In  grace  of  form  or  strength  of  mighty  arm 
To  lay  the  princely  Trojans  in  the  dust. 
In  life,  we  Greeks  adored  thee  as  a  god ; 
And  here  among  the  dead  thou  art  a  king. 

20f 


And  Other  Poems 


Of  no  estate,  than  king  and  rcijjn  supreme 
An.ongthecheerIe„king.iom.,%fr"L 
But  s,:,ce  the  dead  revisi,  not  the  earth 

l-onie  tell  me  of  my  noble  son.-if  ho 
Though  coming  late,  achieved  in  glor.ous  war 
Ach.eftamsname;orofmyagedsire, 
Who,  now  percliance  dishonored  and  oppressed 
Hath  yet  no  son  to  ward  his  waning  years. 

But  then,  because  I  said  his  son  was  brave 
And  ever  fought  the  foremost  in  tl.e  fr.y 

Offw.ntAchiIle3,takingmightystrides,    '■ 
Joytul,  across  the  meads  of  asphodel.- 
in  all  the  throng  the  only  happy  .oul. 

"And  other  souls  I  saw  that  cherished  yet 
The  thoughts  of  earth :  brave  Ajax,  angered  still 
Because  Achilles'  armor  I  had  won;    ^ 

Orion    h""  ^"1f"^  ^""'^  "  "'°«»'  ">«>: 
Onon  chasmg  shades  of  deer  he  slew  ■ 

And  Hercules  with  mighty  bended  bow. 

"Some  saw  I  too  enduring  endless  pain, 
The  penalty  of  grievous  deeds  on  earth 
VV.th  greedy  beak  the  vultures  e.er  tore 
The  breast  of  Tityus,  the  giant  h.ge 
That  seued  Latona.  bride  of  migRty  Jove 


20S 


\\ 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


There  Tantalus,  by  famine  and  by  thirst 
Tormented,  saw  abundant  luscious  fruits 
That  ever  vanished  from  his  eager  grasp, 
And  streamlets  cool  that  ever  fled  his  lip. 
There  wearied  Sisyphus  with  endless  toil 
Strove  up  the  steep  to  heave  a  stubborn  stone ; 
But  ever  as  the  summit  he  approached 
It  rolled  and  tumbled  thundering  to  the  plain, 
And  left  him  baflled  in  a  cloud  of  dust. 

"But  as  in  myriads  yet  the  shadows  came, 
And  much  I  feared  Persephone  might  send 
A  Gorgon  head  to  chill  my  mortal  frame 
And  drive  me  down  the  sombre  vales  of  Death, 
I  left  the  clamorous  throng  and  quickly  sought 
My  comrades.     Bidding  them  embark  in  haste, 
With  oar  and  sail  we  swiftly  sped  away. 

"Again  we  came  to  Circe's  sylvan  isle. 
And  banqueted  on  food  and  purple  wine 
By  comely  maidens  brought.    Beside  the  ship 
My  comrades  through  the  dewy  darkness  slept ; 
But  me  enchanting  Circe  led  away 
To  fragrant  secret  bower.    There  meet  reply 
I  made  when  she  with  lips  divine  inquired 
Of  all  my  journey  to  the  Land  of  Death. 

She  then  recounted  perils  that  beset 

My  homewand  way,  and  how  I  might  escape 

And  yet  in  safety  reach  my  native  isle. 

In  converse  sweet  the  calm  ambrosial  night 

204 


And  Other  Poems 


Too  sw,  t  y  passed;  too  soon  the  rosy  Dau„ 
VV.th  ruddy  fingers  drew  the  veil  of  Dav 
We  early  rose,  embarked  ar>d  set  the  n,ast 
Th"atfird^'"''?^^-"'--'--;r 

And  bo        °"  ''"''  ""'^  <='^f'  *e  foamy  wave 
An<l  bore  us  onward  from  the  happy  isle 

"Obedient  to  her  warnings,  we  escaped 

The  tuneful  tempting  of  the  Sirens'  scng 

A  lunng  an,I  so  sweet  that  I  myself        ^' 

I  hough  bound  and  fetterp.I  „.*  i     '  • 

Mv  deafened  crew  ^'C^Z::^'"'' 

Balancmg  death  with  momentary  bliss 

"Onward  ue  fled  where  in  a  narrow  sea 
?hereThri  '"  ''^'^^"' ^-^^^  was  be:et. 

£^^^-rrs^-rs;-^:--" 

|:??Sh:?c:;ss:-r-:?|-- 
K-'tLSg-^rSh£ir 

Tl!^st'o'f"i"r"''r°^''"---hed 
oy  i^irce  \\arned  and  sage  Tiresias, 


20S 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


Recounting  all  their  dread  prophetic  words, 
What  ruin  and  disaster  would  befall 
If  we  should  slay  the  oxen  of  the  god, 
I  urged  my  men  to  drive  my  bark  beyond 
The  isle,  and  thus  avoid  impending  Fate. 
But  recent  fear=  and  terror  of  the  night 
O'ercame  my  crew.    All  swore  a  mighty  oath 
The  oxen,  sleek  and  fat,  broad-browed  and  black, 
Upon  the  grassy  lawn  to  leave  unharmed. 
But  gnawing  hungqr  broke  their  solemn  vow ; 
For,  while  my  eyes  v.ere  weighed  with  grateful  sleep. 
They  slew  the  herds  in  which  the  god  rejoiced 
When  wheeling  earthward  from  the  fields  of  Dawn 
Or  speeding  to  the  starry  underworld. 

"Then  Helios  invoked  the  heavenly  gods 
And  called  for  vengeance  from  immortal  Jove, 
Who  sent  in  wrath  a  tempest  roaring  loud, 
And  hurled  a  crashing  thunderbolt  of  tiame 
Upon  our  shattered  ship.    The  crew,  as  gulls. 
Floated  away  upon  the  tumbling  waves, 
And  I  alone,  on  broken  keel  and  mast 
Wrenched  from  the  ruined  ship,  avoided  Fate. 


"In  desperation  clinging  to  the  keel. 

Escaping  dire  Charybdis  once  again. 

At  length  I  drifted  to  the  lonely  isle 

Where  fair  Calypso  dwelt,  a  goddess  dread 

That  spake  with  human  voice.    With  kindly  words 

She  led  where  blazed  the  hearth  within  her  cave, 

206 


And  Other  Poems 


With  spice  and  cedar  fragrant.    O'er  the  loom 

She  bent  and  blithely  sang,  and  wove  the  web 

With  golden  shuttle.    Round  her  grotto  grew 

A  cypress  grove  and  vines  of  cluster  rich ; 

And  fountains  flowed  in  cool  and  limpid  streams 

Through  pleasant  meadows  fair  with  fragrant  flowers. 

"Year  after  year  the  moons  had  waxed  and  waned 

And  still  I  lingered  in  Calypso's  isle, 

Deploring  Fate  and  longing  for  return, 

Although  she  promised  me  immortal  youth 

Should  I  forget  my  bride  Penelope 

And  dwell  in  sweet  enduring  love  with  her, 

A  bride  immortal,  stately  and  divine. 

"Then  fair  Athene,  moved  at  my  di  'ress. 
Besought  the  gods  to  send  a  quick  release. 
Jove  gave  command,  and  winged  Hermes  flew 
Down  high  Olympus,  o'er  Pierian  land. 
Across  the  crested  wave  with  Fate's  decree. 
Calypso  then  reluctantly  obeyed. 
In  goodly  garments  clad,  with  food  and  wine 
She  sent  me  forth  upon  a  well-wrought  raft, 
Secure  I  rode  till  dimly  I  descried 
The  misty  mountains  of  Phaeacia  nigh. 
When  wrathful  Neptune  spied  my  fragile  craft 
And  with  his  trident  tossed  the  billows  high 
Awoke  the  winds  and  veiled  the  sky  with  night. 
Out-flung,  I  swam  and  reached  the  shore  and  slept, 
Exhausted,  hidden  in  a  leafy  grove. 


307 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


"A  shout  and  merry  voices  broke  my  rest. 

Nausicaa,  the  daughter  of  the  king, 

A  queen  of  beamy,  stately  and  divine, 

Sported  among  her  maidens  on  the  shore. 

The  maidens  fled,  Kke  timid  frightened  doves; 

But  she  for  my  distress  cared  tenderly. 

Gave  soul-reviving  wine,  ambrosial  food. 

Warm,  comely  garments  wrought  of  purple  wool. 

And  kindly  guidance' to  her  father's  hali. 

Within  the  palace,  rich  with  bronze  and  gold. 

On  thrones  enrobed  by  skilful,  queenly  hand. 

Arete  sat  and  kingly  Alcinous. 

They  gave  me  courteous  greeting,  gathered  all 

The  princes  of  the  wide  Phaeacian  land. 

Prepared  a  bounteous,  equal  feast. 

Whereat  the  blind  old  bard  Demodocus 

Began  to  sing  of  heroes  and  of  Troy. 

While  thus  he  sang  I  bowed  my  head  and  wept, 

Re-living  all  the  glorious  strife  again. 

The  wondering  king  inquiring  why  I  wept 

I  told  my  name  and  all  my  bitter  woes. 

And  long  desire  to  reach  my  native  isle. 

"  'Fain  had  I  wished,'  the  goodly  king  replied, 

'That  thou  wouldst  in  my  palace  dwell  content 

And  take  my  comely  daughter  as  thy  bride, 

Whose  heart  thy  woes  and  warlike  deeds  have  won. 

But,  since  thy  mind  is  set  on  swift  return 

Where  faithful  waits  thy  bride  of  early  youth. 

Rich  presents  shalt  thou  have  and  guidance  home.' 


208 


And  Other  Poems 


After  deep  woes  and  long-endured  distress 
Fond,  tender  love  is  more  supremely  dear. 
Thus  Circe's  charms  had  won  me  for  a  time 
Thus  had  the  fair  Calypso  held  me  long. 
Though  these  were  both  immortals,  goddess-born, 
Yet  ne'er  so  tempted  was  I  to  forget 
My  early  bride  and  all  my  sorrows  past 
And  live  secure  in  palace  halls  with  one 
Within  whose  breast  I  first  had  wakened  love,— 
A  maid  of  kindly  heart  and  prudent  mind. 
Perfect  in  form  and  beautiful  in  face, 
Wearing  all  charms  of  maiden  innocence. 
But  thoughts  of  home  and  faithful  love  prevailed 
And  I  besought  immediate  guidance  hence. 
They  launched  a  rocking  ship  upon  the  deep- 
Then  brought  they  presents  rich  and  numberless 
Of  bronze  and  well-wrought  gold,  and  purple  cloaks. 
And,  placing  all  in  order,  smote  the  sea 
Wiih  shining  oars  and  swiftly  sped  away. 
But  soon  they  reached  my  little  rocky  isle 
And  laid  me  safe  but  sleeping  on  the  shore. 
Then  came  Athene,  stored  my  treasure  safe 
Within  a  grotto,  gave  me  meet  disguise 
And  pi  ident  counsel,  bade  me  journey  first 
Where  stout  Eumjeus  kept  my  herd  of  swine. 

"He,  faithful  found  throughout  the  passing  years, 
Regarding  not  my  beggar's  ragged  robe. 
Received  me  kindly  and  recounted  all 
The  deeds  of  haughty  suitors  in  my  halls.— 


300 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


Their  wasting  of  my  substance  clay  by  day, 
Their  insults  to  my  queen  Penelope, 
Their  ambush  laid  to  intercept  and  slay 
Telemachus  returning  from  his  quest. 
To  him  I  told  a  fiction  interspersed 
With  truth,  of  how  I  came  to  Ithaca; 
And  he  related  how  Phenician  men 
Had  borne  him  from  his  father's  royal  dome 
And  sold  him  here  a  slave  in  foreign  land. 
Feasting  and  quaffing  purple  wines  we  sat 
While  fled  the  night's  ambrosial  hours  away. 
But  with  tlie  morning  came  Telemachus. 
Glad  was  the  welcome  that  Eumseus  gave, 
As  might  a  father  give  a  tender  son 
After  long  absence  home  returning  safe ; 
And  I  rejoiced  to  see  him  well-beloved. 
But  when  his  lodge  the  faithful  swineherd  left 
To  bear  the  queen  a  message  from  her  son 
No  longer  I  my  feelings  could  restrain ; 
But  all  the  longings  of  my  lonely  heirt 
Came  swelling  as  a  sea  within  my  breast. 
In  close  embrace  I  clasped  my  gallant  son, 
A  helpless  babe  when  twenty  years  before 
I  left  him  smiling  in  his  mother's  arms, 
But  now  a  youth  to  cheer  a  father's  heart 
With  pride  and  hope.    With  intermingled  tears 
We  sat  while  fled  the  waning  hours  of  day, 
Recounting  all  our  many  bitter  woes 
And  plotting  death  for  all  the  suitors  proud. 


tto 


And  Other  Poems 


"With  morning  sped  Telemachus  away. 
With  stout  Eumaeus  to  my  home  I  came 
In  beggar's  rags  disguised,  upon  the  road 
Spurned  and  insulted  by  Melanthius, 
Who  led  the  fattest  of  my  bleating  goats 
A  savory  banquet  for  the  suitors  proud. 
Argus,  my  faithful  hound,  neglected  lay. 
Unkempt  and  ill.    He  rose  with  plaintive  whine, 
But  sank  and  died  of  joy  at  my  return. 

Within  the  palace  many  a  prince  and  chief 
In  wild  carousal  drank  my  ruddy  wine 

And  feasted  on  the  cattle  from  my  stalls. 

Long  unrestrained,  grown  insolent  and  bold, 

Telemachus  they  tieated  with  disdain; 

My  queen  they  pressed  against  her  will  to  wed ; 

Her  waiting-maids  they  dragged  away  and  shamed; 

They  mocked  my  tattered  rags  and  seeming  age ; 

Denied  me  food  and  smote  me  with  their  stools ; 

The  burly  beggar,  Irus,  urged  to  fight. 

Him  with  a  blow  I  crushed;  then  dragging,  flung 

Him,  gasping,  groaning,  near  the  outer  gate. 

"My  prudent  queen  by  stratagem  the  day 

Of  choice  had  long  deferred ;  but  now  at  last 

The  urgent  suitors  brooked  no  more  delay 

And  all  refused  departure  till  she  wed. 

She  claimed  from  each  a  costly  bridal  gift, 

And  promised  who  should  bend  my  bow  and  send 

A  faultless  shaft  should  lead  her  as  a  bride. 

Loud  laughed  my  heart  to  see  their  feeble  strength. 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


|:| 


Their  vain  attempts,  their  futile  artifice. 
I  bade  them  pray  for  power  from  the  gods 
And  wait  for  morn.    Then,  even  where  I  sat, 
I  strung  the  sounding  bow  and  sent  a  shaft 
That  hissing  sped  and  passed  the  port.«  of  steel 
And  cleft  with  brazen  barb  the  door  beyond. 
Then  leaping  up  I  shot  a  bitter  shaft 
That  piercetl  the  throat  of  vaunting  Antinous, 
E'en  as  he  quaffed  a  golden  double  cup : 
Defiled  with  wine  and  streaming  blood  he  fell. 

Then  forth  broke  all  my  long-imprisoned  wrath ; 

1  taunted  them  with  all  thei.  shameless  deeds, 

And  one  by  one,  as  wolves,  I  shot  them  down. 

Then  when  the  arrows  failed,  with  sword  ard  spear. 

With  loud  triumphant  shout,  I  sn--:e  them  low; 

I  mocked  the  shrinking  cowards  in  their  dcatli. 

And  gloated  o'er  their  dying  agonies. 

Not  one  I  spared.     In  heaps  upon  the  floor 

They  lay  like  netted  fish  upon  the  beach. 

Sweet  is  revenge  to  wrong-embittered  soul ! 


"The  aged  matron  warned  Penelope, 
Who,  as  I  sat  beside  the  brazier,  came, 
More  stately,  more  divinely  beautiful 
Than  when  I  brought  her  home  a  virgin  bride. 
In  silence,  now  beUeving,  doubting  now. 
She  gazed  and  strove  my  image  to  recall 
From  misty  memories  of  years  agone, 
Nor  yielded  hastily  her  cautious  mind. 
Suspicious  of  imposture  and  deceit. 


And  Other  Poems 


At  last,  convinced,  with  tears  and  cry  of  joy 
She  flung  her  snowy  arms  about  my  neck 
And  clung  with  many  a  kiss  and  fond  caress,— 
A  kindly  welcome  home  from  years  of  war, 
A  guerdon  meet  for  all  my  bitter  woes. 
In  converse  sweet  the  calm  and  blissful  night 
VVe  spent,  recounting  all  that  Fate  had  brought, 
Tdl  gentle  Slumber  softly  sealed  our  eyes 
And  Silence  waited  for  the  ruddy  Dawn." 

He  paused,  and  when  1  raised  my  eyes  had  gone; 
And  half  I  wished  the  days  would  come  again 
When  all  the  world  was  fresh  and  young;  when  sea 
And  sky  and  land  yet  teemed  with  mysteries ; 
When  Science  had  not  robbed  us  of  the  joy  ' 
Of  Wonder;  when  the  Vast  (Jnkn   A-n  gave  scope 
For  Fancy's  dream  and  Superstition's  dread ; 
When  pleasing  Fear  provoked  the  gallant  soul; 
When  godlike  men  yet  trusted  in  the  strength 
Of  sinewed  arm  and  brave,  undaunted  breast ; 
When  lonely  isles  were  homes  of  fairy  queens ; 
When  gods  immortal  deigned  to  dwell  on  earth 
And  mingle  in  th'  aflfairs  of  mortal  men. 
Stand  visible  and  thwart  us  free  to  face, 
Or,  taking  human  form  and  human  voice. 
Beside  us  walk  as  comrades  hand  in  hand. 
March,  1909. 


213 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


AVIATORS. 

Ttra,  *fua,  i/fni,  am  vid;  tjuU  ullrat 


PRESUMPTUOUS,  man  was  deemed  by  poet  sage 
Because  he  dared  in  fragile  bark  to  brave 
What  billows  on  the  ocean  levels  rage; 

Undaunted  now  he  stoops  beneath  the  wave, 
Companion  of  leviathan  and  shark, 
Or  what  of  dread  frequents  that  realm  of  dark. 


Nay  more ;  he  yokes  the  lightning  to  his  car, 
Or  steals  its  flaming  torch  to  banish  night ; 

Therewith  he  wings  his  words  to  friends  afar. 
Or  dips  his  pencil  in  its  flashing  light ; 

Therewith  he  distant  whirls  the  busy  wheel 

To  delve  the  mine  or  shape  the  glowing  steel. 


Not  satisfied  to  rush  his  iron  steed 

O'er  hill  and  valley  snorting  smoke  and  flame, 
Spurning  the  earth  in  reckless  thundering  speed, — 

Not  satisfied  of  bronze  and  steel  to  frame 
His  barge  with  heart  of  fire,  that  scorns  the  sweep 
Of  fiercest  blasts  that  fret  the  frenzied  deep, — 

»i* 


And  Other  Poems 


Conqueror  of  earth,  of  water,  and  of  fire. 
He  now  essays  the  void  and  viewless  air 

Whose  secret  mysteries  inflame  desire 
And  tempt  the  bold,  audacious  breast  to  dare 

The  I.eights  where  soars  no  eagle's  pinion  swift, 

Nor  floating  clouds  their  sunlit  brows  uplift. 

Roamers  of  worlds  where  man  has  never  gone. 
Bring  me  the  secrets  of  this  rolling  sphere.  ' 

Who  blends  the  timings  of  the  glows  of  Dawn? 
Whence  ride  the  Tempests  in  their  mad  career? 

Who  pilots  through  the  azure  seas  the  clouds? 

Where  weave  the  Darknesses  their  sable  ?hrouds? 


Whence  cometh  Spring  to  wake  and  gladden  earth, 
And  where  does  Winter  forge  his  crystal  chains? 

Where  do  the  restless  lightnings  have  their  birth. 
And  who  their  wild,  impetuous  course  ordains? 

Is  Thunder's  fortress  in  yon  blue  serene 

Where  hold  the  Silences  their  vast  de.nesne  ? 

Are  ye  endowed  with  more  than  mortal  sight, 
Peering  beyond  our  brief  horizon  rin.j  ? 

Ken  ye  the  wonders  of  the  seas  of  light 

Wherein  our  earth  with  all  her  kindred  swims  ? 

Can  ye  o'criiass  the  pale  of  Time  and  Place, 

Afar  discern  and  mete  the  bounds  of  Space? 


215 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


Have  ye  in  deeps  ethereal  yet  descried 
The  far  faint  loomings  of  "The  Happy  Isles"? 

What  is  this  thrill  called  Life,  pnd  where  abide 
Her  secret  springs?    In  what  obscure  defiles 

Of  vastness,  ever  blighting  with  his  breath 

All  forms  of  being,  lurks  her  conqueror,  Death? 


Have  ye  discerned  beyond  the  Vast  of  Blue 
Some  clime  where  Death  no  more  may  Life  assail, 

Where  Life  may  'flee  and  Death  no  more  pursue? 
Or,  in  the  last  great  End,  shall  Death  prevail 

And  have  dominion,  broad  and  measureless. 

O'er  blank,  chaotic  voids  of  Nothingness? 


Or,  is  death  also  but  another  form 
Of  life,  or  agent  that  prepares  the  way 

For  fuller,  higher  life,  when  all  the  storm 
And  chill  are  past?    The  fallen  leaves  decay; 

But  from  their  dust   he  dainty  touch  of  Spring 

May  fragrant,  radiant-bosomed  flowers  bt-ng. 


Can  ye  dissolve  our  doubts  and  nearer  bring 
The  long-sought  hour  when  we  shall  fully  know 

Life's  origin  and  destiny,  and  fling 
Aside  the  veils  of  mystery  and  show 

Why  nothing  rests,  from  atoms  of  the  mould 

To  e'en  the  hugest  planet  we  behold? 

2t6 


And  Other  Poems 


What  means  this  alt-pervading  energy 
Of  Nature?    Know  ye  whither  does  it  tend? 

The  streamlet  hastens  to  the  distant  sea, 
Nor  hath  een  there  its  restlessness  an  end. 

In  all  existence  nothing  slumbereth— 

Is  motion  life  and  loss  of  motion  death  f 

O  whither  sweeps  this  ceaseless,  endless  tide 
Of  being?    Where  and  what  its  final  goal ? 

Some  Hand  hath  made  and  must  its  motions  guide ; 
Some  Mind  Eternal  planned  the  perfect  Whole, 

And  somewhere,  doubtless,  in  his  purpose  vast 

Hath  set  a  goal  for  each  and  all  at  last. 


SI  7 


A  Blossom  of  the  Sea 


FINIS. 

WE  SCAN  the  volume  with  a  careless  eye: 
Its  fancy  may  an  idle  hour  beguile, 
ha- careless  eye : 

Its  grief  awake  a  momentary  sigh, 

Its  merriment  provoke  a  transient  smile. 

Its  graver  theme  attract  a  passing  thought; 
But  then  we  close  and  cast  the  book  aside, 

With  half  its  hidden  treasure  yet  unsought. 
And  all  its  inner  beauty  undescried. 

E'en  so,  the  Book  of  Life  we  take  and  find 

Smiles,  joys  and  hopes  that  now  the  heart  elate, 

Frets,  pangs  and  tears  that  leave  a  trace  behind. 
And  mysteries  we  may  not  penetrate ; 

We  then  replace  it  in  the  Author's  hand, 

And  nothing  of  His  purpose  understand. 


9i8 


